The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Green Wood-Hoopoe
Afrikaans name: Gewone kakelaar
Green Wood-Hoopoe
Photo © Steven Herbert
Phoeniculus purpureus
The Green Wood-hoopoe was previously known as the Red-billed Woodhoopoe and this name is still commonly used. It is a well-known bird in the eastern half of South Africa. They are normally seen in small flocks and they make a loud cackling noise.
It is found in a variety of habitats including woodland, coastal forest, riverine forest, parks and gardens. Its main requirement is that there are numerous trees in the area.
Green Wood-hoopoes eat a variety of food including insects, reptiles, seeds and fruit. Most of their food is obtained by scanning the branches of trees.
They breed in a natural cavity and up to 5 eggs. The female does the incubation of the eggs and she is fed by the male and other members of the flock. The female has the sole responsibility of feeding the chicks using food brought by the members of the flock. Apparently the chicks will only take food from her.
References and further reading
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 53Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 128
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 173
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 171
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 107
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 260
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 270
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 389
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 392
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 299
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 283
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 411
Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 60
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 256
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 256
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 70
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 186
Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 51
Gardening with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1988 - Page: 56
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 73
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 182
Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 142
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 62
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 120
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 39
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 151
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 77
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 136
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 58
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 167
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 102
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 102
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 181