Icterine Greenbul
Phyllastrephus icterinus
A relatively colorful greenbul with an olive-green back, yellowish underparts, and a rufous tail. Found in the understory and at middle levels of rainforest, usually in small flocks; readily joins mixed-species flocks. Very similar in appearance to Xavier’s Greenbul and best distinguished by voice, but is slightly smaller-billed and redder on the tail and uppertail coverts. Somewhat similar to Western Bearded and Yellow-bearded Greenbuls, but smaller, with much less contrast between the yellow throat and the rest of the underparts. The primary vocalization is a series of nasal notes that first speeds up, then slows down, unlike the more slowly delivered, nasal barking calls of Xavier’s Greenbul.
Taxonomy
The icterine greenbul was originally described in the genus Trichophorus (a synonym for Criniger). The term icterine refers to its yellowish colouration. Formerly, some authorities have considered Sassi's greenbul to be a subspecies of the icterine greenbul. Alternate names for the icterine greenbul include the lesser icterine bulbul.<p>Until 2018, a rare colour morph of the icterine greenbul from the Cavalla forest in south-eastern Liberia was believed to be a separate species. The Liberian greenbul (Phyllastrephus leucolepis) was known from only a few sightings between 1981 and 1984, and a specimen collected in 1984. This specimen is now considered to have been a plumage aberration. A 2017 DNA analysis revealed that the bird(s) were common icterine greenbuls, albeit with unusual plumage colouring, which may have been caused by a nutritional deficiency. Alternative names for the Liberian greenbul included the spot-winged bulbul, spot-winged greenbul and white-winged greenbul.
- Scientific name
- Phyllastrephus icterinus
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1850)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Phyllastrephus
Range and habitat
The icterine greenbul is found in Africa from Guinea to Ghana; southern Nigeria to western and southern Uganda, eastern and central Democratic Republic of the Congo and extreme north-western Angola. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and moist savanna.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sumatran Green-Pigeon
Treron oxyurus
Relatively plain and unmarked green-pigeon with a long pointed tail. Males have a faint orange blush on the chest, though this can be hard to notice. Note blue-green bill and “goggles” in both sexes. Completely unmarked dark olive-green wings separate this species from other green-pigeons within its range; Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeon can be similar, but note that species’ much more thickset build and shorter tail. Endemic to the hill forests of Sumatra and western Java. Like other green-pigeons, gathers in fruiting trees. Gives rising and falling series of high-pitched coos, often with a hiccuping or sobbing quality.
Brown-chested Barbet
Capito brunneipectus
Medium-sized, chunky species with a strong thick bill. Has yellow-olive, cinnamon, and black plumage, duller in females, which also have a black-spotted throat. Found in the canopy of humid forest, often accompanying mixed-species flocks. The call is an incredibly fast series of deep “hoo” notes.
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia
Astrapia mayeri
A long-tailed bird of upper montane forest. The male has an iridescent green head and bib with a black chest band bordered with a thin gold stripe. Note the outlandishly long, white tail streamers. Female is blackish with barring on the belly and some iridescence on the head. Mainly eats fruit. Similar to Stephanie’s Astrapia, but Ribbon-tailed usually occurs at higher elevations. The female Ribbon-tailed has iridescence on the head and the male’s tail is white rather than black. Voice, excited, pulsing rasps.
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