Class: Aves

Order: Coraciformes

Scientific Name: Phoeniculus purpureus

Range: Widespread in southern Africa below 15 degrees North except in arid and southwestern portions

Habitat: Forest and wooded savanna

Diet: Wild: Larvae and crustaceans found in trees

Gestation: Breeding season is August to October in tree holes in 18 days.

Litter: 3-5 chicks

Life Span: Rarely to ten years; mortality is common due to food availability and territory restrictions.

Description: A food long, slender bird distinguished by its long red bill, its red legs, and its long gradiated tail. It is a blackish bird highlighted by the green iridescent plumage on body, but violet on wings and tail. At end of tail are white wingbars and spots.

Behavior: Live in pairs or forage in trees as is or in small groups. When foraging, they have a loud cackling cry that ends in crescendo. Their home is a tree hold. Act like tits and woodpeckers in tree foraging.

Reproduction: Incubation is done by the female and fed by her mate. Chicks are fed by the pair and fledge at about 30 days.

Did You Know?

• Young and females have a particular defensive behavior that involves exuding a horrible stink when threatened.
• There are several African hoopoes distinctly different than they European hoopoe, but the name comes from their distinctive call of "hoop, hoop!"

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the African Elephant Crossing at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.