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.

References and further reading

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds