Picathartidae Perfection

What bizarre looking birds! Family Picathartidae are large passerines with broad tails, bare heads, large bills, and long, muscular legs. Both members of Picathartidae (White and Grey-necked Picathartes) reside in Western Africa in undisturbed, lowland rainforests. However, they seem to be expanding their range to more disturbed habitats, such as second growth forests and farmland. They build mud nests on rock faces as well as cliff and cave roofs, which is highly unusual for a rainforest- dwelling species. They are sedentary (residents, do not migrate) and breed during the wet season, when mud and food is most available. Their diet consists largely of forest floor invertebrates, such as earthworms, centipedes, beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and termites. They will also take small vertebrates such as frogs and lizards. Both species are listed as vulnerable, as they have a very small range, small population size (estimated at 10,000 adults), and live in areas now experiencing deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Breeding success is very low, as cannibalism and infanticide are highly prevalent and usually only two eggs are laid. They are also susceptible to predation by raptors and primates (of our variety as well). Fortunately, the caged bird trade is nearly obsolete due to respect and awareness from locals and high demand for conservation from ecotourism dollars. ECO-TOURISM WORKS : )