List of Southern African Birds - Wood-Hoopoes and Scimitar-bill

Wood-Hoopoes and Scimitar-bill

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Phoeniculidae

Wood-Hoopoes have metallic plumage, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest. They are more gregarious than the Hoopoe, and can often be seen in small groups. There are seven species worldwide, three in Southern Africa.

• Green Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
• Violet Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus damarensis
• Common Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas