Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
The Common Scimitarbill (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) is a striking, medium-sized bird indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa, easily identified by its slender, strongly decurved black bill resembling a scimitar sword. Measuring approximately 26-30 cm in length, including its long, graduated tail, and weighing 30-40 grams, its plumage is predominantly glossy blue-black, shimmering with purple and green iridescence in good light. A prominent white patch on the primaries, particularly noticeable in flig...
This species primarily inhabits dry woodlands, savannas, thornbush, and acacia scrub, favoring areas with scattered trees and shrubs. It is typically found at low to moderate elevations.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of invertebrates, predominantly insects such as larvae, beetles, ants, and termites, along with spiders. They forage by probing bark, wood, and ground with their specialized bill.
Common Scimitarbills are diurnal, active foragers, often seen methodically gleaning and probing for insects in bark crevices, dead wood, and even on the ground. They are highly acrobatic, capable of hanging upside down or clinging to vertical surfaces with ease. They typically live in monogamous ...
The Common Scimitarbill is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting a broad band from southern Angola eastward through southern Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania, and extending south through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and much of South Africa. Two ma...
Least Concern
- The Common Scimitarbill's long, slender, and strongly decurved bill gives it its distinctive name, resembling a traditional Middle Eastern sword. - Despite its 'scimitarbill' name, it belongs to the same family (Phoeniculidae) as the true woodhoopoes, though it lacks their iridescent green plum...