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The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Green Wood-Hoopoe

Afrikaans name: Gewone kakelaar

A Green Wood-Hoopoe in Kruger National Park

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.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

EditionRoberts nrScientific name
1st419Phoeniculus purpureus
2nd419Phoeniculus purpureus
3rd419Phoeniculus purpureus
4th419Phoeniculus purpureus
5th452Phoeniculus purpureus
6th452Phoeniculus purpureus
7th81Phoeniculus purpureus

EditionRoberts nrEnglish name
1st419Red-billed Hoopoe
2nd419Red-billed Hoopoe
3rd419Red-billed Hoopoe
4th419Red-billed Hoopoe
5th452Redbilled Woodhoopoe
6th452Redbilled Woodhoopoe
7th81Green Wood-hoopoe

EditionRoberts nrAfrikaans name
1st419Kakelaar
2nd419Kakelaar
3rd419Kakelaar
4th419Kakelaar
5th452Gewone Kakelaar
6th452Gewone Kakelaar
7th81Rooibekkakelaar

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 128

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 48

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 171

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 53

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 173

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 107

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 270

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 260

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 - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 223

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 283

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 46

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

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 411

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

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 142

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 182

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 120

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 62

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 151

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 39

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 77

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 58

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 136

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

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