Quick Facts
Facts sourced from Wikidata (CC0).
Conservation Status
Conservation hubClose to qualifying as threatened in the near future.
The main threats to the gray-necked rockfowl are habitat loss due to deforestation and hunting. While specific recovery programs are limited, the species benefits from protected areas where its rainforest habitat is preserved. Responsible safari tourism can help by raising awareness of the bird's existence and importance, and by providing economic incentives for local communities to protect the forests it inhabits.
The grey-necked rockfowl is a medium-sized bird in the family Picathartidae with a long neck and tail. Also known as the grey-necked picathartes, this passerine is mainly found in rocky areas of close-canopied rainforest from south-west Nigeria through Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and south-west Gabon. It additionally lives on the island of Bioko. Its distribution is patchy, with populations often isolated from each other. The rockfowl typically chooses to live near streams and inselbergs in its forested habitat. It has no recognized subspecies, though some believe that it forms a superspecies with the white-necked rockfowl. The grey-necked rockfowl has grey upperparts, a light grey breast, and lemon-coloured underparts. Its unusually long tail is used for balance, and its thighs are muscular. The head is nearly featherless, with the exposed skin being powder blue on the forehead and upper mandible and carmine on the hindcrown. The bird's cheeks and eyes are covered in a large, circular black patch that, though narrow, connects and divides the carmine and powder blue skin at the peak of the crown. Though the bird is usually silent, some calls are known.
Description adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to Find
Top parks for Gray-necked Rockfowl. Sightings recorded in 3 safari areas total.
Best Safari Destinations
Loading safari destinations...
Ready to see Gray-necked Rockfowl in the wild?
Use our tools to find the right park and plan your trip.