Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Forest Wood Hoopoe
Phoeniculus castaneiceps
Forest Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus castaneiceps) — Hornbills & Hoopoes of Africa.
The Forest Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus castaneiceps) is a member of the Phoeniculidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 24.4 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Bucerotiformes
- Family Phoeniculidae Wood Hoopoes
- Genus Phoeniculus
- Species castaneiceps
Quick facts
- Weight
- 24.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Phoeniculidae
- Order
- Bucerotiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Forest Wood Hoopoe is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Forest Wood Hoopoe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Forest Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus castaneiceps) belongs to the Phoeniculidae family of the order Bucerotiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 24.4 g, with a wing length of about 10.2 cm and a tail of around 16 cm.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 622,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Forest Wood Hoopoe?
The Forest Wood Hoopoe is a small bird that weighs around 24.4 g.
Where does the Forest Wood Hoopoe live?
The Forest Wood Hoopoe is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Forest Wood Hoopoe belong to?
The Forest Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus castaneiceps) belongs to the Phoeniculidae family, in the order Bucerotiformes.
What does the Forest Wood Hoopoe eat?
The Forest Wood Hoopoe is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Forest Wood Hoopoe migrate?
The Forest Wood Hoopoe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
What sound does the Forest Wood Hoopoe make?
1 real field recording of the Forest Wood Hoopoe — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Forest Wood Hoopoe's range?
The Forest Wood Hoopoe has a mapped global range of about 622,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Phoeniculidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Hornbills & Hoopoes
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern