The little greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa (primarily West and Central Africa)
Typical Environment
Occurs from West Africa east through the Guineo-Congolian forests into parts of Central and western East Africa. It favors lowland rainforest, secondary growth, farmbush, gallery forest, and forest edges, often near clearings and plantations. It adapts well to disturbed habitats and frequently forages in dense undergrowth and midstory. The species is generally absent from open savanna far from woodland cover.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The little greenbul is a small bulbul of African forests and thickets, often heard before it is seen due to its persistent whistles and chatters. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks and plays an important role in seed dispersal by consuming a variety of fruits. Formerly placed in the genus Andropadus, it is now widely treated as Eurillas virens.
Eurillas virens photographed in Gambia
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct between cover
Social Behavior
Often forages in pairs or small family groups and readily joins mixed-species flocks in the understory. Breeding pairs build a small cup nest in dense vegetation; both sexes participate in feeding the young. Territorial around nest sites but otherwise tolerant of conspecifics in rich feeding areas.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of soft, whistled phrases interspersed with chattering notes, repeated at regular intervals. Calls include sharp chips and liquid whistles used for contact within dense foliage. The song is persistent at dawn and can carry surprisingly far despite the bird’s hidden habits.
Plumage
Plain olive-green upperparts with yellow-olive to grayish-olive underparts and a slightly paler throat; overall smooth, unpatterned look.
Diet
Consumes small fruits and berries, including figs, along with insects and other small arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Will occasionally take flower nectar and small seeds. Foraging is methodical, with frequent gleaning, short sallies, and probing into clusters of leaves. By eating fruit, it disperses seeds across regenerating forest and edge habitats.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the understory and midstory of humid forest, secondary growth, and thickets along edges and streams. Common around forest gaps, cocoa and coffee plantations, and overgrown clearings where shrubs and small trees are abundant.
