The lowland tiny greenbul, is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found in eastern Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland.
Region
Eastern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in coastal and lowland forests from southeastern Kenya through eastern Tanzania into northern Mozambique, with local extensions into adjacent lowland thickets. It favors dense, moist forest undergrowth, forest edges, and secondary growth with ample shrub cover. Birds keep close to shaded interior tangles and vine thickets, moving methodically through foliage. It also uses riverine gallery forests and overgrown clearings when continuous forest is fragmented.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy understory specialist, the lowland tiny greenbul is often detected by its soft, high-pitched calls rather than seen. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks, gleaning insects from leaves and twigs in dim forest undergrowth. Its reliance on intact lowland forests makes it sensitive to habitat loss, even though it remains locally common where suitable cover persists.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs in the lower and mid understory, often joining mixed-species flocks. Builds a small cup nest low in shrubs or tangles. Pairs maintain small territories but tolerate neighbors where habitat is continuous.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, high-pitched whistles and soft trills that can be easily overlooked against forest background noise. Calls include soft tsee and seep notes given while foraging.
Plumage
Plain, soft-textured plumage with olive-green upperparts and paler olive to grayish underparts; throat slightly paler and often whitish-tinged. Subtle contrast and minimal patterning suited to the dim understory.
Diet
Primarily gleans small insects and other arthropods from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles. Occasionally takes small berries or soft fruits, especially when insect prey is less abundant. Foraging is deliberate, with short hops and brief sallies within dense foliage.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded understory of moist lowland forest, overgrown edges, and secondary thickets. Often works along vine tangles, fallen branches, and dense shrubs a few meters above ground.
