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The green wood hoopoe is a large, up to 44 cm (17 in) long tropical bird native to Africa. It is a member of the family Phoeniculidae, the wood hoopoes, and was formerly known as the red-billed wood hoopoe.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This abundant species is a metallic dark green, with a purple back and very long diamond-shaped purple tail. Distinctive white markings on the wings and white chevrons on the tail edges make it easily identifiable, as does its long, thin, curved red bill. Sexes are similar, but immatures have a black bill. It advertises its presence with its loud kuk-uk-uk-uk-uk call and other vocalisations.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Green Wood Hoopoe sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
White-headed Wood HoopoePhoeniculus bolleiPhoeniculus bollei can reach approximately a body length of 30–35 cm (12–14 in).
Violet Wood HoopoePhoeniculus damarensisThe violet wood hoopoe is a species of bird in the family Phoeniculidae.
Black-billed Wood HoopoePhoeniculus somaliensisThe black-billed wood hoopoe is very similar to the green wood hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) in appearance, but lacks the greenish gloss on the head and mantle and has a black beak rather than a red one, though there is sometimes a reddish tinge at the base of the beak.
Learn the Green Wood Hoopoe for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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