White-headed Woodhoopoe
Phoeniculus bollei
Odd, long-tailed, slender-billed bird. There is some geographical variation, but the face always shows some white, except in juvenile birds. Note the red bill and legs. Found in humid forest. Always in groups, usually of 5-10 members. The distinctive call is a quick, dry rattling, given by a whole group in chorus. Similar to Forest Woodhoopoe, but easily separated by the red bill and legs. Separated from scimitarbills by the white face and the less curved bill.
Identification
Phoeniculus bollei can reach approximately a body length of 30–35 cm (12–14 in). The female is smaller and has a much shorter bill. These birds show a combination of a white head, a slightly curved bright red beak and red legs and feet, quite different from other species of the family. The iridescent plumage is dark blue or violet-blu. The wings have a purple-copper luster.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phoeniculus bollei
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1858)
- Order
- Bucerotiformes
- Family
- Phoeniculidae
- Genus
- Phoeniculus
Range and habitat
Phoeniculus bollei can be found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. These birds inhabit from sea level up to 3,200 m (10,500 ft), mainly in savannas and dry flowland and in montane primary forest, but they are also found in regenerating forests, as well as in deciduous woodlands.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Buru White-eye
Zosterops buruensis
A small songbird with a prominent white eye-ring, a narrow yellow band on the forehead, green upperparts, a yellow rump, and an entirely yellow underside. Small groups roam the upper levels of forest, scrub, and patches of trees on farmland in the lowlands and foothills. Restricted to Buru, where the only other species with a bold white eye-ring is Warbling White-eye. Buru White-eye is distinguished from that species by its entirely yellow underparts, including the belly. Gives a rapidly repeated agitated-sounding chattering call,“tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu,” as well as a “chewit” note.
Mount Kupe Bushshrike
Chlorophoneus kupeensis
A grayish bushshrike with green wings and tail and a unique head pattern: the black mask curls down to form a narrow black breast band surrounding the white throat. Some morphs have a purple dot at the base of the throat. Juvenile has less distinct face pattern than adult. A rare resident, restricted to a handful of sites in the Cameroon-Nigeria highlands, where it is found singly and in pairs in the canopy of primary hill forest between 930 and 1550 meters of elevation. Calls include an electric grating “cha-cha-cha-chggrrt-chggrrt-chggrrt” like a laser-gun sound effect in a computer game, as well as harsh croaking, whistles, and ticks. May snap wings when agitated.
Warbling Doradito
Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris
Small two-toned flycatcher, olive-brown above and yellow below. Note the rufescent crown patch. Found in tall-grass marshes, especially those with sedges. Typically difficult to locate, but during migration can be found in various areas with tall grass. The call is a series of nasal squeaky notes: “chek, chek, chek, chek-chick-chick-chiquetik.” The rather similar Dinelli's Doradito has a more olive-colored, less brownish back.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.