The yellow-whiskered greenbul or yellow-whiskered bulbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in western and central Africa.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from West Africa east through Central Africa in moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, forest edges, and secondary growth. It uses gallery forests along rivers and can persist in disturbed habitats and plantations with sufficient shrub layer. Most activity is in the understory to midstory, where it forages among dense foliage. It is generally a lowland species but also ranges into foothill and lower montane forests.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Its name comes from the short yellow malar “whisker” stripe that stands out on its otherwise olive plumage. This greenbul often joins mixed-species flocks in forest understory and edge habitats, where it is more often heard than seen. It adapts well to secondary growth and forest edges, helping it remain widespread. Formerly placed in the genus Andropadus, it is now commonly treated as Eurillas.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, often joining mixed-species flocks moving through the understory. Builds a small cup-shaped nest in dense vegetation; typical clutches are two eggs. Both parents participate in feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of mellow, whistled phrases interspersed with chattering notes. Calls include sharp chips and soft contact notes used while flocking in dense cover.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with slightly paler, yellow-olive underparts; throat often paler. Texture is smooth with minimal streaking, giving a clean, uniform look. The face is subtly darker with a contrasting pale to yellow malar stripe.
Diet
Takes small fruits and berries, including figs, supplemented by insects and other arthropods gleaned from foliage. Will hawk briefly for flying insects and probe into leaf clusters for hidden prey. Opportunistic feeding allows it to exploit seasonal fruiting and insect emergences.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the forest understory and midstory, especially along edges, gaps, and secondary growth. Frequently uses vine tangles, thickets, and shaded plantation edges with dense shrub layers.
