How to identify the Green Wood Hoopoe

To correctly identify the Green Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

34-40 cm

Wingspan

38-45 cm

Weight

54-99 g

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adults are predominantly dark iridescent green, blue, and purple, appearing almost black in poor light. The wings have white spots, particularly visible in flight. The tail is long and graduated, often with white barring on the outer rectrices.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Long, slender, and strongly decurved (downcurved) bill, bright red in adults, often with a darker tip.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Reddish-brown to dark red.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Its long, decurved red bill, iridescent dark plumage, and long, graduated tail with white markings are highly distinctive. The white wing spots are also a key field mark.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles are duller than adults, with less iridescence. Their bill is shorter, straighter, and blackish, gradually turning red as they mature. Their legs are also duller.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. The iridescence may appear more vibrant in good light.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Males and females are generally similar in plumage, though males may be slightly larger and have a slightly longer bill. Differences are subtle and not reliable for field identification.

Key field marks

• Bill Color and Shape. Look for the long, slender, strongly decurved, bright red bill. This is the most immediate and reliable field mark for adults.
• Plumage Iridescence. Observe the dark body plumage. In good light, it will shimmer with iridescent green, blue, and purple hues. In poor light, it appears almost black.
• White Wing Spots. Note the distinct white spots on the wings, especially visible when the bird is in flight or stretching its wings.
• Tail Length and Markings. The tail is long and graduated, often showing white barring on the outer feathers, particularly when fanned.
• Vocalizations. Listen for the characteristic loud, chattering, communal calls, often given in chorus by a group. This sound is highly distinctive.
• Foraging Behavior. Watch for their acrobatic foraging style, climbing up and down tree trunks and branches, probing bark with their long bills.

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