White-headed Woodhoopoe
NameWhite-headed Woodhoopoe
Common NameWhite-headed Woodhoopoe
Scientific NamePhoeniculus bollei
FamilyPhoeniculidae
Wingspan (cm)30
Length (cm)32.5
Weight (g)70
Plumage DetailsAdults have a distinctive white head and neck, contrasting sharply with a glossy, iridescent black body. The wings and tail are also glossy black, often with a purplish or greenish sheen. The bill is bright red, and the legs are reddish-brown.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its distinctive, loud, cackling or chattering calls, often given in groups. They produce a series of 'kek-kek-kek' or 'kwa-kwa-kwa' notes.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in scattered populations across central and western Africa, including countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Identifying FeaturesWhite head and neck, Glossy black body, Long, decurved red bill, Long, graduated tail, Arboreal behavior
Description
A medium-sized, arboreal bird with a striking white head and a glossy black body. It possesses a long, slender, decurved red bill and a long, graduated tail, often foraging in groups.
