Blackcap Mountain-Babbler (Sylvia nigricapillus)

Other Names (World)
Bush Blackcap, Blackcap Mountain Babbler

Family
Sylviidae (Old World Warblers And Parrotbills)

Size
15 - 17 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Vieillot, 1818)

Habitat
Stands of mature forest in ravines fringed with thickets of Leucosidea and Buddleja, often in areas surrounded by grassland, coastal forests and valley bushveld, and occasionally ferns and shrubs in gardens. From 750 - 1,825 m, occasionally down to 600 m during the winter months.

Range (Guide)

South Africa (B) (NB), Swaziland (B) (NB).

Eastern South Africa (southern along escarpments to extreme eastern Free State and central Eastern Cape) and western Swaziland.

Population
Estimated population is 1,500 - 5,000 (2010).

Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation is the main threat.

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Voice
A rich, melodious, warbling song, 'plik plik toodley-oodley-oodley-ooo'.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (18)...)

Bush Blackcap (Sylvia) [XC397018]
by Murray Christian from Clarens Mountain Estate, Clarens, Free State, South Africa (song)

Bush Blackcap (Sylvia nigricapillus) [XC453385]
by Rapha\u00ebl Nussbaumer from Mbona Private Nature Reserve, Wartburg district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (song)

Subspecies
No subspecies.

Affinities unclear. Has been suggested as being an aberrant bulbul (Pycnonotidae), but latest evidence points towards a link with "warbler" genus Sylvia. Further research is required.

References
See References.

Files:

More Information

BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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