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
Genus: Phoeniculus; Family: Phoeniculidae; Order: Bucerotiformes.
- 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
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Fujian Niltava
Niltava davidi
A large flycatcher of tropical and subtropical forests. Male is bright blue above with a black face and orange breast and belly which becomes paler toward the vent. Rufous-bellied Niltava is extremely similar but has a bright patch on the shoulder and brighter orange underparts are uniform in intensity down to the vent. Vivid Niltava can also be similar but has an orange throat and is darker blue above. The mostly brown female is difficult to identify, but it is cooler and grayer overall compared to female Rufous-bellied. Female Fujian has a small bright white collar that is lacking in female Vivid. Gives a very high metallic “tsiiing”, as well as hard “chik” and “chek” notes.
Chaco Owl
Strix chacoensis
Large owl of Chaco forest in SE Bolivia, W Paraguay, and NW Argentina. Note round head, barred underparts, and whitish throat. Song a distinctive dry rattled series of hoots. Prefers tall arid thorn forest.
Pine Siskin
Spinus pinus
Small, brown, streaked finch. Some show yellow in the wing and tail. Sharply pointed bill. Short, notched tail and long wings. Often visits feeders in areas with conifers. Irruptive in many areas; can move south in only small numbers some years, large numbers in other years. Often joins flocks of goldfinches. Can be quite vocal; listen for distinctive rising buzz like a zipper being zipped.
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