Yellow-headed rockhopper or white-necked stilt crow

Yellow-headed rockhopper or white-necked stilt crow

We are delighted that Bill Mockridge has taken over the sponsorship of the yellow-headed rockhopper or white-necked stilt crow (Picathartes gymnocephalus).

Not even 10,000 individuals of this extraordinary-looking bird species still exist. The yellow-headed rockhopper only occurs in the few rainforest areas from Guinea to Ghana that have not yet been destroyed by human intervention. In West Africa, the extravagant-looking bird has therefore become a symbol for the protection of the rainforests. The species has been categorised as endangered on the international Red List for 15 years. And for us, this specimen is therefore one of our very special "godchildren".

The scientific name refers to the featherlessness of its yellow head with the striking black spots (Greek: "gymno" = naked; "cephalus" = head). The German name "Stelzenkrähe" comes from a previously erroneously assumed relationship with the crows, with which the birds were initially categorised in the Corvidae family. Finally, the name "rockhopper" refers to the birds' favoured habitat and locomotion: they mainly inhabit rocky areas along watercourses within the lowland rainforests. And they are not good fliers - they mostly move by hopping and jumping on the ground or in low-hanging moss and lianas, where they search for food: Mainly insects of all kinds, millipedes, snails and earthworms, but also sometimes small frogs or lizards, which the rockhoppers like to feed their offspring.

We have two exhibits of this special rainforest bird species on offer. In contrast to the other one, this specimen is sitting on a rock.