South-western and southern South Africa, in provinces of Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape (from just south of R Orange, southern along coast, inland to edge of Karoo, and east to R Sundays).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis) [XC479131]
by Frank Lambert from Aberdeen Plain, Western District, Eastern Cape, South Africa (song)
Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis) [XC516050]
by Lynette Rudman from Kwaa ttu camp, Swartland Local Municipality, West Coast DC, Western Cape, South Africa (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Forms superspecies with Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus), Black-fronted Bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans), White-spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos), White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis) and Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), possibly including some other species. Parapatric and locally sympatric with Black-fronted Bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans) and, in small area of Eastern Cape Province, with Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus). Hybridizes extensively with both in narrow transition zones along at least part of boundaries between their respective distributions.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet