rockfowl

Rockfowl is a common name that can refer to several bird species, primarily within the family Picathartidae. These birds are found in the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa. The most well-known species is the Grey-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus), also known as the White-necked Rockfowl. Another species is the Yellow-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes oreas).

These birds are characterized by their distinctive bare, colorful faces, often bright blue or yellow, contrasting with their dark, grey, or blackish plumage. They have long tails and a somewhat clumsy gait when walking on the ground. Rockfowl are typically found in rocky outcrops, caves, and dense forest undergrowth, often near water sources.

Their diet consists mainly of insects, arthropods, and other invertebrates, which they forage for on the ground. Rockfowl are known to nest in colonies, often on the walls of caves or on inaccessible rocky ledges. Their nests are typically cup-shaped structures made of mud and saliva.

Both Grey-necked and Yellow-necked Rockfowl are considered vulnerable or near threatened due to habitat loss and fragmentation, primarily caused by deforestation for agriculture and logging. Conservation efforts are in place to protect their remaining habitats.