Cape Bulbul

The  Robberg Peninsula, Western Cape, South Africa

The Cape Bulbul is a common resident in western and southern South Africa inhabiting coastal bush (where the photograph above was taken), open forest, gardens and fynbos (a type of heathland vegetation noted for its biodiversity and unique to the Cape region of South Africa). It is a busy, noisy bird that perches conspicuously on the tops of bushes.

Feeding

Forages for nectar, insects and fruit, often in pairs or small groups.

Breeding

The cape bulbul nests mainly in the southern spring from September to November.  IThe nest is a substantial cup contructed from grasses and small twigs and concealed by foliage in a small tree or shrub. A maximum of five purple-pink eggs are incubated by the female and the chicks are fed by both parents.

Wildfile Special

• Cape bulbuls nest in a variety of bush types.  Research shows that nests in broad leaved bushes are less readily accessed by egg stealing striped mice than needle leafed bushes which may be easier to climb. On the other hand the jacobin cuckoo, a brood parasite that preys on cape bulbuls, prefers a host that nest in broad leaved bushes. A case of being between a rock and a hard place.