Eastern Mountain Greenbul Arizelocichla nigriceps Scientific name definitions

A common greenbul of montane forest, second-growth, and forest edge habitats that ranges from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to central Kenya and northeastern Tanzania. Like other Arizelocichla greenbuls it often occurs in mixed-species flocks, and consumes both fruits and insects. Historically treated as conspecific with the Western Montane Greenbul (A. tephrolaema), but the two species differ in voice and plumage, and recent studies indicate that A. tephrolaema is more closely allied to Shelley's Greenbul (A. masukuensis). Eastern Mountain Greenbul was recently split from Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbul (A. chlorigula), Uluguru Mountain Greenbul (A. neumanni), and Black-browed Mountain Greenbul (A. fusciceps), though phylogenetic analysis had already suggested these species as only rather distantly related (1 Roy, M. S. (1997). Recent diversification in African greenbuls (Pycnonotidae: Andropadus) supports a montane speciation model. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London (Series B Biological Sciences) 264:1337–1344. Close , 2 Johansson, U. S., J. Fjeldså, L. G. S. Lokugalappatti, and R. C. K. Bowie (2007). A nuclear DNA phylogeny and proposed taxonomic revision of African greenbuls (Aves, Passeriformes, Pycnonotidae). Zoologica Scripta 36(5):417–427. Close ). The three known subspecies (kikuyuensis, usambarae, and nigriceps) are relatively well marked and vocally similar, though nigriceps may be distinct in having only one song type rather than two song types (requires confirmation). See Subspecies.

Length ~18 cm; male 29–41 g, female 29–32.5 g (kikuyuensis), both sexes combined 28–32 g (usambarae). A medium-sized, variably but distinctively patterned montane greenbul. Nominate subspecies has forehead and crown blackish gray, sharply demarcated lores and sides of face (including ear coverts) dark gray with some broad, contrasting paler streaking, also contrasting dirty white broken eyering; neck dark gray, upperparts, including wings and tail, olive-green, brightest on uppertail coverts; gray below, paler and washed yellow in middle of belly, flanks washed olive-yellow, undertail coverts yellow-olive; iris brown, hazel, red-brown or dark red; bill shiny black; legs blue-gray, greenish gray, greenish or greenish brown. Sexes alike, female on average smaller than male. Juvenile is duller, darker overall, eye brown or gray-brown.

Until recently considered conspecific (see Systematics) with Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbul (A. chlorigula), Uluguru Mountain Greenbul (A. neumanni), and Black-browed Mountain Greenbul (A. fusciceps). With respect to appearance of Eastern Mountain Greenbul, Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbul is grayer on head and in underparts, and has yellow in throat. Uluguru Mountain Greenbul (restricted to Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania) has a blackish crown, but lacks contrasting eyering and has paler streaking in face. Black-browed Mountain Greenbul differs in having no white streaks on ear coverts, a paler gray crown. Stripe-cheeked Greenbul (A. milanjensis), the latter being more olive-green above and more streaked in ear coverts. Similar to Western Mountain Greenbul (A. tephrolaema), but ranges widely separated.

Originally described as Xenocichla nigriceps Shelley, 1889 [Type locality = Mount Kilimanjaro (~1,830 m), Tanzania]. Historically treated as conspecific with A. tephrolaema, but differs in plumage and, especially, voice. More recently, however, studies indicate that latter is more closely allied to A. masukuensis. Until recently considered conspecific with A. chlorigula, A. neumanni, and A. fusciceps, which phylogenetic analysis already suggested as only rather distantly related (1 Roy, M. S. (1997). Recent diversification in African greenbuls (Pycnonotidae: Andropadus) supports a montane speciation model. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London (Series B Biological Sciences) 264:1337–1344. Close , 2 Johansson, U. S., J. Fjeldså, L. G. S. Lokugalappatti, and R. C. K. Bowie (2007). A nuclear DNA phylogeny and proposed taxonomic revision of African greenbuls (Aves, Passeriformes, Pycnonotidae). Zoologica Scripta 36(5):417–427. Close ). Differences between subspecies are relatively well marked, but kikuyuensis and usambarae seemingly distinguished only by former’s much yellower lower underparts; vocally they are very similar. Nominate nigriceps appears to be distinct in possessing only one song type rather than two song types, but this requires confirmation. Three subspecies recognized.

Patchily distributed in E DRCongo (Rwenzoris S to Mt Kabobo), SW and SE Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Mt Elgon and C Kenyan highlands; also in S Kenya (Nguruman) and adjacent N Tanzania (Mt Kilimanjaro and Crater Highlands S to Mbulu and Mt Hanang), and SE Kenya (Taita Hills) and NE Tanzania (S Pare and W Usambara Mts).

Montane forest of all types, both primary and secondary, including low-canopy forest, riparian forest, as well as montane shrubland, bracken-briar, and bamboo. Common in secondary growth, forest edges, and forest clearings, and in recently deforested areas. Occurs at 1,350–3,300 m in East Africa and 1,500–2,450 m in Malawi; some regular wandering down to 700–1,000 m, once to 500 m.

Mainly sedentary. Some regular downslope movement in at least parts of range, mostly during cool season in Tanzania (Usambara Mtns).

Fruit , also some flowers and parts of leaves; also arthropods, including beetles (Coleoptera) and spiders (Araneae). Extensive range of fruits taken, incluiding Agalaea, Coccinia, Harungana, Ilex, Maesa, Polyscias, Rutidea, Schleffera, Trema, and Urera recorded as eaten in Rwanda, and Euclea, Teclea and members of Rubiaceae in Tanzania.

Found singly, in pairs, or in family groups of up to six individuals; larger numbers may gather in fruiting trees, particularly figs (Ficus). Attends doryline ant swarms (genera Anomma and Dorylus) and joins mixed-species flocks. Conspicuous and inquisitive. A generalist that forages at all levels, from undergrowth to subcanopy. Gleans insects from leaves, tangles, epiphytes, branches etc.; also captures them in short aerial sallies.

In nominate and subspecies usambarae at least two types of song reported, one a deliberate “kwo, kwer-kwer, kwee, kwo” (recalling A. chlorigula), the other a conversational “kwew-ki-kwew-ki-kwew”, with that of usambarae also rendered “hee-her-hee”; that of subspecies kikuyuensis (in Rwanda) of two types, a fairly well-defined phrase of 6–8 distinct notes, “jur-jitjur-dajur-jur-jerry”, repeated with minor variations and last note upslurred (recalling both nominate and A. chlorigula), and a husky, low, nasal phrase lasting 1–2 seconds, notes all on one pitch, rich in harmonics, and lacking boisterous cheerful quality and distinct phrases of Tanzanian subspceies. Call a loud, rapid, nasal “qwer-qwer-qwer-qwer”, alarm in Kenya a short, grating “churr”. Situation confused, as it is suspected that some earlier published descriptions of vocalizations now refer to other species.

Recorded March–August and October–November (may breed all year, with peak during dry season) in Democratic Republic of the Congo; September–March in East Africa, starting in Kenya Highlands before short rains, continuing through and into succeeding dry period, peak in February; records in March, May, September and October in Uganda; September–December, avoiding coldest, wettest months, in Tanzania.

Monogamous; territorial. Nest a neat cup of moss, tendrils, fine roots and grass stalks, lined with dark hyphae of Marasmius fungus. Nest external diameter 13 cm, depth 5.5 cm, internal diameter 7 cm, cup depth 3 cm; built 1–2 m above ground among creepers and undergrowth. Clutch 1–3 eggs, usually 2 eggs; incubation by female only; no information on incubation and fledging periods. Natural predators poorly known, but adults caught in mist-nets have been recorded being predated by blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis).

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Race usambarae is a restricted-range taxon: confined to the Tanzania–Malawi mountains EBA. Generally common to abundant across its range. In Eastern Arc mountains of Tanzania, maximum density ~60 individuals/km². Occurs in numerous national parks, including those of Virunga, in Democratic Republic of the Congo; Volcans, in Rwanda; Kibira, in Burundi; Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest, in Uganda; Aberdare and Mount Kenya, in Kenya; and Arusha, in Tanzania, as well as in many forest reserves across its range.