Status and distribution of the Grey-olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus cerviniventris in Kenya, with notes on habitat requirements and breeding seasonality

Abstract

Historically, the Grey-olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus cerviniventris has been a rather poorly known bird in Kenya. Recent reports, however, show it to be more widely distributed and locally abundant than published accounts suggest, and to occupy a slightly broader ecological niche. Observations confirm the species is closely associated with evergreen forest growing in locations where the water table intersects the ground surface, and suggest this association with high groundwater may be related to foraging preferences. Reports of nesting and/or fledged young indicate the species breeds during both the “short” (October-December) and “long” (Mar-June) rains.

Keywords: Grey-olive Greenbul, Kenya, distribution range, groundwater