Little Greenbul
Eurillas virens
This small greenbul is unusually plain, even by the standards of greenbuls. It does show a rusty tinge to the tail. Found in the understory and mid-story of forest, thickets, and overgrown cultivation. Skulking bird that is difficult to see well, but which is often common. Usually detected by distinctive song, which starts with hesitant introductory notes, then finishes with an explosive, bubbling jumble of notes. Very similar to several other greenbul species. Best distinguished by a combination of vocalizations and lack of a pale eye-ring.
Identification
The little greenbul is a small bird reaching a total length of about 187 mm, with wings of about 80 mm and tail of about 77 mm. The upper tail and wings are brown, while breast and flanks are pale grey-greenish (hence the Latin name virens of this species, meaning "green"). The bill is brown, the iris is brown and the feet are light yellow-brown.
Taxonomy
The little greenbul was originally described in the genus Andropadus and was re-classified to the genus Eurillas in 2010. Alternatively, some authorities classify the little greenbul in the genus Pycnonotus.<p>Five subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Eurillas virens
- Authority
- (Cassin, 1857)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Eurillas
Range and habitat
The little greenbul is found in western, central and eastern Africa. <p>Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and moist savanna.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The little greenbul was the subject of a study regarding the impact of ecotones on biodiversity.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray Butcherbird
Cracticus torquatus
Medium-sized ambush-hunter with a long gray bill with a dark, hooked tip. Black head and face with a white nape and throat. Upperparts dark gray, with white rump, mostly black wings (limited white), and black tail with narrow white tip. Rollicking, chuckling song.
Gray Monjita
Nengetus cinereus
Large flycatcher of grasslands and savannas, occasionally venturing into urban areas. Note the red eyes, white eyebrow, and black-and-white mustache. It has a white throat and belly, a gray breast and back, and a black tail. In flight shows a broad white wing band. Usually seen in pairs foraging on the ground or perching prominently on top of bushes, fences, or wires.
Fieldfare
Turdus pilaris
Rather large, subtly attractive thrush with blue-gray head, dark chestnut-brown back, gray rump, and variable peachy-buff wash on spotted breast. Breeds in forested habitats, often favoring wooded areas adjacent to more open foraging grounds; in winter, found mainly in open woodland, farmland with hedges, orchards, and parkland. Often breeds colonially and sometimes retains social habits on wintering grounds, mixing with Redwings and other thrushes in fields or in fruiting trees. Song is relatively unlovely for a thrush, a series of scratchy and garbled phrases. Call is a dry and powerful “chakchak”, rather like an old camera.
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