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- White-necked Rockfowl
White-necked Rockfowl
Passeriformes, Picathartidae
Picathartes gymnocephalus
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The white-necked rockfowl is an unusual looking bird from western Africa. Deforestation and hunting have put them on the brink of extinction.
Body length: 40 cm
(Source: Doubutsu Sekai-isan* Red Data Animals Kodansha)
(*World Animal Heritage)
They live in the forests of western Africa. They mainly make nests in caves where they raise their chicks.
They eat cockroaches, earwigs, beetles, and other insects. They also catch worms, frogs, and lizards.
They don't fly very far, they move around by hopping on the ground. When they're looking for insects on the ground, they scatter fallen leaves that are in the way with their beaks.
Find out more about the White-necked Rockfowl!
With the forest shrinking, it's hard to find replacement homes...
The white-necked rockfowl is known for its unusual appearance. They have long necks, legs, and tails, and their bald, bright yellow faces really stand out. Their homes are also unusual. They make nests in caves in the forest, not in trees. But deforestation continues in western Africa and white-necked rockfowl numbers are falling. Since they live in caves, which is rare, they can't easily find replacement homes.
Their unusual appearance causes problems
Hunting also threatens the white-necked rockfowl. Their unusual appearance makes them popular in the collections of zoos and individuals. They live in groups of around 40 pairs of males and females in a cave, so many are captured at one time. Conservation work is now beginning, but it is feared there are only 10,000 white-necked rockfowls left in the wild.
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