Sombre Greenbul

Afrikaans name: Gewone willie

Sombre Greenbul

Photo © Steven Herbert

Andropadus importunus

The Sombre Greenbul used to be called Sombre Bulbul. It is quite shy but has a distinctive call that gives its presence away.

It prefers areas with lots of trees and bushes and is common in areas of lowland forest and other places where there are thickets to give it cover.

The Sombre Greenbul is a dull olive colour with a white eye. The sexes have the same colouration. It is similar in looks to the Yellow-bellied Greenbul but that species has white eyelids and a black eye.

Photo © Steven Herbert

They feed on fruit, insects, nectar and flowers. They breed during spring and summer. The female lays up to 3 eggs and incubates them by herself. The male brings her food at times and also assists with feeding the chicks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	551	Andropadus importunus importunus
2nd	551	Andropadus importunus
3rd	551	Andropadus importunus
4th	551	Andropadus importunus
5th	572	Andropadus importunus
6th	572	Andropadus importunus
7th	617	Andropadus importunus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	551	Green Bulbul
2nd	551	Sombre Bulbul
3rd	551	Sombre Bulbul
4th	551	Sombre Bulbul
5th	572	Sombre Bulbul
6th	572	Sombre Bulbul
7th	617	Sombre Greenbul

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	551	Willie
2nd	551	Willie
3rd	551	Willie
4th	551	Willie
5th	572	Gewone Willie
6th	572	Gewone Willie
7th	617	Gewone Willie

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 60

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

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 229

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 34

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 8

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

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 300

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 314

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 501

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 496

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 376

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 388

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 242

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 292

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 304

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 304

LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 87

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 222

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 103

Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 41

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 91

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

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 172

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 185

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

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 120

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

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 163

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 201

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

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 73

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 73

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 221

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds