Rainforest Marvels - White-Necked and Yellow Headed Rock Fowl (44 million years in the Congo rainforest!)

in #nature7 years ago (edited)

Steemians, I bring to you a little known gem of the rainforests of Central Africa - the Picathartes - also known as the White-Necked Rock Fowl.

White-necked_Rockfowl_(Picathartes_gymnocephalus)cropped.jpg

Photo Source: https://alchetron.com/Picathartes-4145716-W

The most amazing fact about this rainforest creature is that it has lived in the Congo for 44 millions years! Yes, 44 million years. They are monogamous in their relationships and the male is responsible for reigniting the nuptial passions through his eleborate displays! Look at the features of the head they are totally unique and it looks like they have huge black eyes on the sides of the head.

They are known by many names one is Rock Fowl because of the peculiar way they precariously build their mud nests in rock faces. Due to their crow like demeanor and white bald heads they are also know as the 'magpie vulture' - which means Picathartes. Research shows they are an off shoot of the passerine line (a perching bird in the Passeriforms scientific order).

Steemians this bird is on the IUCN's red list of threatened species. They are losing their habitat due to human encroachment (what is new).

Watch David Attenborough as he takes us on a journey through the Congo rainforest to fine the Picathartes!

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super interesting birds in nature.

This submission has made it on the @MutuWhale MutuList!

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