Common scimitarbill

Rhinopomastus cyanomelas

(Photo from Animals Globe)

Common name:
common scimitarbill (en); bico-de-cimitarra (pt); irrisor namaquois (fr); abubilla-arbórea cimitarra (es); sichelhopf (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Coraciiformes
Family Phoeniculidae

Range:
This species is found from south-western Somalia, southern Kenya and southern Uganda, through Tanzania, southern D.R. Congo and Zambia, and into southern Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe and northern South Africa.

Size:
These birds are 26-30 cm long and weigh 24-42 g.

Habitat:
The common scimitarbill is mostly found in dry tropical scrublands, also using dry savannas and dry tropical forests, particularly in areas dominated by Brachystegia and Colophospermum mopane, but also in palm stands. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on insects, including ants and their larvae, wasps, flies, caterpillars and beetles, but also take spiders, grubs and nectar.

Breeding:
Common scimitarbills breed in August-June, varying among different parts of their range. They nest in tree cavities, which can be either natural or old woodpecker or barbet nests. Sometimes the same nest site is used repeatedly over multiple breeding seasons. The female lays 2-4 eggs which she incubates alone for 13-14 days. The chicks fledge 21-24 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be widespread and locally common in some areas. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to destruction of large trees which provide nesting, foraging and roosting sites.

Green woodhoopoe

Phoeniculus purpureus

(Photo from Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:

green woodhoopoe (en); zombeteiro-de-bico-vermelho (pt); irrisor moqueu (fr); abubilla-arbórea verde (es); baumhopf (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Coraciiformes

Family Phoeniculidae

Range:

This species is found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the lowland forest of the D.R. Congo and West Africa.

Size:

The green woodhoopoe is 37-44 cm long and weighs up to 100 g.

Habitat:

This species generally prefers arid and mesic savannas, open miombo woodlands, palm groves, riverine forests, forest fringes, valley bushveld, thickets and wooded gardens. They are found from near sea level to altitudes of over 2.000 m.

Diet:

The green woodhoopoe mainly eats arthropods, foraging mainly on tree trunks and branches, probing and searching for food and occasionally descending to the ground. They are known to take Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Odonata, Aranea, Sulifugae and Chilopoda. They may ocasionally also take small reptiles and amphibians, plant seeds, nectar, berries and fruits.

Breeding:

These birds can breed all year round. They are monogamous, cooperative breeders, meaning that the breeding pair is assisted by non-breeding helpers. They nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollows in trees, fence posts or buildings. The female lays 2-5 blue eggs which she incubates alone for 17-18 days, while being provided food by the male and group members. The chicks are mostly fed by the female, but the food is gathered by the male and a number of helpers. The chicks fledge 28-30 days after hatching, but continue to receive food from their parents for another 2-3 months.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

The green woodhoopoe has an extremely large breeding range and is reported to be extremely widespread and often common to locally common. The population is declining locally owing to ongoing habitat destruction.