Kakamega greenbul, is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is native to the Lake Victoria region. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs around the Lake Victoria basin, especially in the remnant Guineo-Congolian forests of western Kenya and adjacent eastern Uganda. It favors interior and edge habitats of evergreen forest, including secondary growth and forested ravines. Birds are most frequently encountered in the mid-storey, along forest trails, and near fruiting trees. Localized populations persist where continuous canopy and dense undergrowth are available.
Altitude Range
1000–2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Named after Kenya’s Kakamega Forest, this greenbul spends much of its time in the shaded mid-story and understorey where it can be surprisingly hard to see. It often joins mixed-species feeding flocks, giving away its presence with bright, whistled phrases. Like many bulbuls, it plays an important role in seed dispersal through its fruit-heavy diet.
Temperament
skulking and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks while foraging. It nests in a neat cup hidden in dense vegetation, typically a few meters above the ground. Pairs are likely monogamous within a breeding season and defend small territories around nesting sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, fluty whistles interspersed with chattering notes, often delivered from concealed perches. Calls include sharp contact notes used to keep in touch within flocks.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with slightly duskier head and nape, blending into yellow-olive underparts. The throat is paler, with subtle streaking at times, and the undertail coverts are yellowish. Feathers appear soft and uniform, lacking bold patterning typical of many forest bulbuls.
Diet
Feeds on a mix of small fruits and berries, including figs, complemented by insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. It gleans from leaves and twigs, probes clusters of foliage, and occasionally sallies to catch flushed prey. Seasonal availability of fruit influences its daily movements within the forest.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages in the mid-storey and lower canopy, especially at fruiting trees along forest edges and clearings. It also works along shaded trails and streamside thickets where insect prey is abundant.
