There are two species of birds in this family, the gray-necked rockfowl (Picathartes oreas) and the white-necked rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus.) They are found in rocky areas of rainforests in west and central Africa.
Rockfowl are slender birds with crow-like bills; long, thin necks; humped backs; long tails; and long, strong legs. They have brightly-colored bald heads and forage on the forest floor for insects, snails, and mollusks.
The white-necked rockfowl is about 19 inches in length and is gray on its uppersides and white on its undersides. It has a yellow and black head. The gray-necked rockfowl is gray on its upperparts and light orangish-yellow on its undersides. It has a violet and gray-blue head with a black face mask.
World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.
US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
New Hampshire Species |
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North/Central American Species |
None |
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None |
Additional Information Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio
Gray-necked Rockfowl - Picathartes oreas
The gray-necked rockfowl is found in Cameroon; Equatorial Guinea; Gabon; and Nigeria.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Gray-necked Rockfowl - Picathartes oreas
The gray-necked rockfowl is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Source:BirdLife International Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School
Gray-necked Rockfowl - Picathartes oreas
The gray-necked rockfowl has a black face mask and a violet crown.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School White-necked Rockfowl - Picathartes gymnocephalus
The white-necked rockfowl is also known as the bare-headed rockfowl. It is found in Côte d'Ivoire; Ghana; Guinea; Liberia; and Sierra Leone.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
White-necked Rockfowl - Picathartes gymnocephalus
The white-necked rockfowl is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Source:BirdLife International Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School White-necked Rockfowl - Picathartes gymnocephalus
The white-necked rockfowl has a naked bright yellow and black head.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School |