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.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	419	Phoeniculus purpureus
2nd	419	Phoeniculus purpureus
3rd	419	Phoeniculus purpureus
4th	419	Phoeniculus purpureus
5th	452	Phoeniculus purpureus
6th	452	Phoeniculus purpureus
7th	81	Phoeniculus purpureus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	419	Red-billed Hoopoe
2nd	419	Red-billed Hoopoe
3rd	419	Red-billed Hoopoe
4th	419	Red-billed Hoopoe
5th	452	Redbilled Woodhoopoe
6th	452	Redbilled Woodhoopoe
7th	81	Green Wood-hoopoe

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	419	Kakelaar
2nd	419	Kakelaar
3rd	419	Kakelaar
4th	419	Kakelaar
5th	452	Gewone Kakelaar
6th	452	Gewone Kakelaar
7th	81	Rooibekkakelaar

References and further reading

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

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

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

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 173

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

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

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

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

Newman s Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 60

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

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

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 256

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 70

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 256

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 167

Geoff Lockwood s Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 51

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 186

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

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 73

Gardening with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1988 - Page: 56

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

Everyone s 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

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

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

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

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 2 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 8

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

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 268

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 102

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 167

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 181

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 102

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List of South African Birds