Green Woodhoopoe

These colorful birds are known for their deep green, blue and purple feathers, magnificent red beak and loud chattering call—kuk-uk-uk-uk! Found in woodlands and savannas in sub-Saharan Africa, green woodhoopoes use their slender, curved bill to hunt for insects in tree crevices or on the ground.
Green woodhoopoes live in small family flocks, communicating with each other with calls and displays, such as stripping bark from trees and passing it around to bond and defend their territory. One female and male in the group are the mating pair. The female lays eggs in a tree cavity. Both parents and helpers from the flock tend to the hatchlings. Young birds are less colorful and defend themselves from predators by spewing smelly waste if they are taken from the nest!