Dark-capped Bulbul

Afrikaans name: Swartoogtiptol

Dark-capped Bulbul

Photo © Steven Herbert

Pycnonotus barbatus

The Dark-capped Bulbul is probably better known by its former name of Black-eyed Bulbul. It is also sometimes called a Common Bulbul.

They are a common sight in gardens, parks and other habitats. It is not found in drier habitats.

Besides their black head, one of their distinguishing features is the yellow patch under the tail, although this is found on other similar bulbuls as well.

Dark-capped Bulbuls love fruit but they also eat nectar and insects. Seeds and spiders are also eaten.

They have a cheerful call and they are often seen in pairs.

The Dark-capped Bulbul makes its nest in dense foliage and will lay 2 to 3 eggs. The Jacobin Cuckoo parasitises them.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	545	Loidorusa tricolor tricolor
2nd	545	Pycnonotus barbatus
3rd	545	Pycnonotus barbatus
4th	545	Pycnonotus barbatus
5th	568	Pycnonotus barbatus
6th	568	Pycnonotus barbatus
7th	614	Pycnonotus tricolor

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	545	Black-eyed Bulbul
2nd	545	Black-eyed Bulbul
3rd	545	Black-eyed Bulbul
4th	545	Black-eyed Bulbul
5th	568	Blackeyed Bulbul
6th	568	Blackeyed Bulbul
7th	614	Dark-capped Bulbul

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	545	Swartoog-tiptol
2nd	545	Swartoog-tiptol
3rd	545	Swartoog-tiptol
4th	545	Swartoog-tiptol
5th	568	Swartoogtiptol
6th	568	Swartoogtiptol
7th	614	Swartoogtiptol

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 146

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 56

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 52

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 226

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 312

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 121

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 182

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 493

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 298

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 384

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 498

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 372

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 70

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 240

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 289

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 82

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 306

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 306

Know your Garden Birds - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 19

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 412

Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 32

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 90

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 220

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 102

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 154

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 184

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 21

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 74

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 89

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 184

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 55

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 162

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 102

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 199

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 72

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 72

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 220

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds