Eastern Nicator

Nicator gularis

Other Names

  Yellow-spotted Nicator   Bulbul à tête brune   Braunkopfnicator, Ostnikator         Nicator orientale

World: Afrotropical - found to the E of the continent, its range goes from E South Africa through Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Eastern Tanzania, Kenya and S Somalia.

Kenya: Found principally in the coastal lowlands where it is common in forests. It has penetrated further inland and can be found along the eastern edge of the C Highland plateau.

The Eastern Nicator is considered by some authorities to be one of the Bulbuls but we have gone with the latest Zimmerman view and grouped it with the Bush-shrikes. It is a highly distinctive long-tailed, heavy billed, spotted bird. Despite being fairly common it is secretive and shy, foraging in densely tangled undergrowth or lower branches. It is, however, highly vocal singing from concealed, high perches. The individual pictured above was photographed in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest which provides the ideal habitat for this bird.