African Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans) [XC647982]
by Tony Archer from Mafikeng Local Municipality (near Madutle), Ngaka Modiri Molema, North West, South Africa (song)
African Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans) [XC125956]
by Alan Collett from Benfontijn Gamereserve, Lejweleputswa, Free State, South Africa (song)
Subspecies
Forms superspecies with Garden Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus), Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis), 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 both Garden Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) and Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis), and hybridizes extensively with both in narrow transition zones along at least part of boundaries between their respective distributions. Nominate subspecies intergrades with superior over a broad front along middle R Orange and in Griqualand West (South Africa). Proposed subspecies grisescentior indistinguishable from nominate.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
nigricans (Vieillot, 1818) - South-western Angola, Namibia and Botswana south to northern South Africa (south to northern Cape and middle R Orange). Non-breeding extreme south-western Zambia and north-western Zimbabwe.
superior Clancey, 1959 - South Africa (North-west Province south to eastern Cape) and Lesotho.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet