Common Bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassAves (Aus)
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyPycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
- GenusPycnonotus (Typical Bulbuls)
- SpeciesPycnonotus barbatus (Common Bulbul)
The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is widespread throughout most of Africa except for the very arid areas, and has recently begun breeding in southernmost Spain. Ten subspecies are recognised based on the geographical variation in plumage. Some of these were formerly considered as separate species: Dodson's bulbul, the Somali bulbul and the dark-capped bulbul. Wikipedia →
60–70% of wildlife watchers report a Common Bulbul sighting in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, based on 963 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Yellow-bellied Greenbul
Chlorocichla flaviventris
Sombre Greenbul
Andropadus importunus
Terrestrial Brownbul
Phyllastrephus terrestris
Yellow-streaked Bulbul
Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Black-backed Puffback
Dryoscopus cubla
Green-backed Camaroptera
Camaroptera brachyura
Redcap Robinchat
Cossypha natalensis
Common Square-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus ludwigii
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Collared Sunbird
Hedydipna collaris
Dark-backed Weaver
Ploceus bicolor
African Golden-Weaver
Ploceus subaureus
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Common Bulbul in iSimangaliso Wetland Park?
About 68% of wildlife watchers report a Common Bulbul sighting in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, based on 963 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Common Bulbul in iSimangaliso Wetland Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Common Bulbul in iSimangaliso Wetland Park in our monthly data.