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Picathartes
Picathartes
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Picathartes
Temporal range: Lutetian–Present
White-necked rockfowl (P. gymnocephalus), Ghana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Infraorder: Passerides
Family: Picathartidae
Lowe, 1938
Genus: Picathartes
Lesson, 1828
Species

P. gymnocephalus
P. oreas

White-necked (pink) and grey-necked (green) rockfowl distribution
Synonyms

Galgulus Wagler, 1827 (non Brisson, 1760: preoccupied)

The picathartes, rockfowl, or bald crows are a small genus of two passerine bird species forming the family Picathartidae found in the rain-forests of tropical west and central Africa. They have unfeathered heads, and feed on insects and invertebrates picked from damp rocky areas. Both species are totally non-migratory, being dependent on a specialised rocky jungle habitat.[1] Both species are listed as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List.

Taxonomy and systematics

[edit]

The taxonomic position of the clade and its two species has been confusing. At various times, it has been grouped with the babblers, flycatchers, starlings, crows and others before being placed in a family of its own.[2] Serle in 1952 thought it resembled the Asian genus Eupetes while Sibley used egg-albumin protein similarity, determined by electrophoresis, to suggest that it belonged to the Timaliidae. Olson revived the idea that it was related to Eupetes in 1979.[3] A molecular sequence based study suggests that it may indeed be closely related to the crows and placed somewhere at the boundary between the Passerida and Corvida.[4] More specifically they appear to be a sister of the rockjumpers (Chaetops) and are basal to the clade containing the Sylvioidea, Passeroidea and Muscicapoidea but outside the core Corvoidea.[5]

This generic name comes from a combination of the Latin genera pica for "magpie" and cathartes for "vulture".[6]

Species

[edit]

A possible third species may exist in Uganda, in the vicinity of the Kazinga Channel, linking Lake Edward with Lake George.[7]

Description

[edit]
A 1902 illustration of the two species

The picathartes are large 33 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) long passerines with crow-like black bills, long neck, tail, and legs. They weigh between 200 and 250 g (7.1 and 8.8 oz). The strong feet and grey legs are adapted to terrestrial movement, and the family progresses through the forest with long bounds on the ground. The wings are long but are seldom used for long flights. The plumage is similar between the two species, with white breasts and bellies and darker grey and grey-black wings, backs, and tails. The neck color varies between the two species, giving them their individual names (grey-necked and white-necked picathartes). They also have bald heads with brightly coloured and patterned skin.[1]

Behaviour and ecology

[edit]

Rockfowl are generalised feeders, taking a wide range of invertebrate prey. Prey items include a range of insects, particularly beetles, termites, and ants, as well as millipedes, centipedes, earthworms, and gastropods. Frogs and lizards are also taken, but these are mostly fed to their chicks. Prey is taken both by foraging on the ground and in the trees. They will also forage in shallow flowing water for crabs. When foraging on the ground, they move forward with hops and bounds, then pausing to search for prey. The longish bill is used to turn over leaves and seize prey, but the feet are never used for either. Both species will follow swarms of ants in order to snatch prey fleeing the ants.[1]

Both species of rockfowl breed seasonally in the wet season. Where an area experiences two wet seasons in a year, they will breed twice in that year. Despite reports of cooperative breeding, it is now thought that they are exclusively monogamous, breeding in pairs. They are also commonly reported to be colonial, and will breed in colonies of up to seven pairs, but solitary breeders and smaller colonies of just two pairs are more common. The nest is made of mud attached to a cave roof or overhanging rock on a cliff. The nest is a cup-like structure of dried leaves, twigs and plant fibres set into dried mud. Two eggs are laid, 24 to 48 hours apart. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs, each taking a 12-hour shift before being relieved by its partner. It takes around 20 days for the eggs to hatch. Picathartes hatchlings are altricial at hatching, almost naked (a few feathers are present on the crown and back) and helpless. The chicks take around 25 days to fledge.[1]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

The rockfowl are distributed in West Africa and western Central Africa, in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana (white-necked rockfowl), Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic (grey-necked rockfowl). The rockfowl live in lowland rainforest at up to 800 m, in rocky and hilly terrain on the slopes of hills and mountains. These birds require forest litter for foraging, a large enough area to contain army-ant swarms (Dorylinae), and rocks, cliffs, or caves for nesting sites.[1]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Picathartes

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Picathartes is a genus of two species of unusual passerine birds in the family Picathartidae, known as rockfowl or bald crows, characterized by their long necks, long tails, long legs, and largely featherless heads with vibrant bare skin. These medium-sized birds, comparable in size to a chicken but slimmer, inhabit closed-canopy rainforests in West and Central Africa, where they forage on the forest floor for invertebrates and small vertebrates, often following army ant swarms. The two species are the white-necked rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus), restricted to coastal West Africa from Sierra Leone to Ghana, and the grey-necked rockfowl (Picathartes oreas), found inland from Nigeria to northeastern Gabon and parts of the Congo Basin. Both are non-migratory and breed colonially, constructing cup-shaped nests from and on faces, cliffs, or ceilings, where they lay usually 2 eggs (1–3 in some cases) and exhibit biparental care with incubation lasting 17–24 days depending on the . Their distinctive behaviors include in nests year-round and elaborate displays involving synchronized head movements and vocalizations. The family Picathartidae is considered enigmatic in avian phylogeny, with morphological traits suggesting affinities to babblers or rail-babblers, though genetic studies place it near the core Corvida of songbirds. Conservation concerns are significant for Picathartes, as both face from , , , and human disturbance in their specialized rocky forest environments. The white-necked rockfowl is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated 2,500–9,999 mature individuals and ongoing as of the latest IUCN assessments (2018 and 2021, respectively), while the grey-necked rockfowl is Near Threatened but similarly threatened by and small colony sizes, with an estimated 2,500–9,999 mature individuals. Efforts to protect them include site-based conservation in key areas like Ghana's Atewa Range and Cameroon's Ebo Forest, emphasizing the preservation of breeding cliffs and surrounding forests.

Taxonomy and systematics

Species

The genus Picathartes contains two recognized species in the family Picathartidae, both large, ground-dwelling passerines endemic to African rainforests. Picathartes gymnocephalus, the white-necked rockfowl or yellow-headed picathartes, was originally described as Corvus gymnocephalus by Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1825 based on specimens from West Africa. It is distinguished by its bare yellow head and neck skin with a black patch on the rear crown, contrasting with its dark slaty upperparts and white underparts. Picathartes oreas, the grey-necked rockfowl, was described by Anton Reichenow in 1899 from Central African specimens. It differs primarily in having a bare head with powder-blue skin on the forecrown, carmine red on the hindcrown and nape, black facial patches, and a grey neck and throat. Unconfirmed reports from the vicinity of the Kazinga Channel in southwestern suggest the possible existence of a third undescribed species, potentially distinguished by morphological and vocal differences, though no formal description has been published.

Phylogenetic position

The genus Picathartes was established by René-Primevère Lesson in 1828, while the family Picathartidae was formally recognized by Percy Lowe in 1938. The generic name derives from a blend of Pica, the Latin term for magpie, reflecting the bird's piebald plumage and appearance, and Cathartes, the genus name for New World vultures, alluding to its bald, vulture-like head. Common names such as rockfowl and bald crow further emphasize these morphological traits. Historically, the enigmatic appearance and foraging habits of Picathartes led to its placement in diverse families, including babblers (Timaliidae), flycatchers (Muscicapidae), and even crows (Corvidae), as early ornithologists struggled to align it with known groups. Molecular phylogenetic analyses have resolved Picathartes as a distinct lineage within the oscine passerines (Passeri), positioned basal to the core clade, which encompasses the superfamilies Sylvioidea, Passeroidea, and Muscicapoidea. This placement highlights its role as an early-diverging African endemic among songbirds, challenging prior morphological-based classifications. The closest relatives are the South African rockjumpers (Chaetops, family Chaetopidae), with DNA sequence data confirming a sister-group relationship between Picathartidae and Chaetopidae, forming a small of specialized rock-dwelling birds. The two within Picathartes exemplify this isolated . These insights stem from molecular studies employing nuclear genes like RAG-1 and RAG-2, which provide robust resolution of relationships and reveal multiple ancient African radiations. Applying a , the divergence of Picathartidae from and Australasian robins (Petroicidae) is estimated at approximately 44.5 million years ago (95% : 40.7–51.9 million years ago) during the Eocene, while the split between Picathartes and Chaetops occurred around 31.2 million years ago (95% : 23.2–36.9 million years ago) in the .

Description

Morphology

Picathartes species are medium-sized passerines, measuring 33–38 cm in length and weighing 200–250 g, with a slender build accentuated by a notably long neck, strong legs, and fairly long, broad . The head is largely unfeathered, covered in colorful, wattled skin; colors differ between , with yellow and patches in the white-necked rockfowl, and blue, red, and patches in the grey-necked rockfowl. The bill is large, strongly curved, and , resembling that of a in shape and adapted for by turning over leaves and probing for prey. The body features dark slaty to blackish upperparts, including grey-black wings and tail. The underparts vary between species: white on the breast and belly, often with a pale yellowish tinge, in the white-necked rockfowl; and light grey on the breast with lemon-yellow on the belly and undertail coverts in the grey-necked rockfowl. The legs are strong and muscular, typically silver-grey, supporting terrestrial locomotion through bounding hops on the forest floor.

Plumage variation

Picathartes exhibit a distinctive characterized by sooty grey-black upperparts, including the wings and tail. Underparts show variation, with white throat, breast, and undertail coverts in the white-necked rockfowl, and light grey throat and breast with lemon-yellow undertail coverts and belly in the grey-necked rockfowl. The overall feather texture appears smooth due to long, sleek contours, with a subtle silvery sheen from downy grey underfeathers on the upperparts in adults. Intraspecific variations are minimal, but juveniles display duller than adults, with brownish tints on the wings and back that gradually mature. Juvenile head skin features dark smudges on the otherwise bare or blue-grey areas, and more feathering covers the head compared to adults; fledglings of the Grey-necked Picathartes lack the vivid head skin colors present in mature birds. Species-specific differences are prominent in head coloration and neck feathering. The White-necked Picathartes (P. gymnocephalus) has bright yellow bare skin on the head and , accented by two large black patches behind the eyes encompassing the region, and white feathers. In contrast, the Grey-necked Picathartes (P. oreas) features blue-grey to powder-blue skin on the forecrown extending to the upper , a black band across the crown, red ( or ) hindcrown and skin, and a black triangular patch on the lores, , and area, with feathers. Both species share extensive bare head skin with vivid, multicolored patches—such as red behind the eye and blue on the crown in P. oreas—that sharply contrast with the drab body . Sexual dimorphism in plumage is negligible, with males and females identical in feather patterns and head skin colors across both species; males may be slightly larger overall, but this does not affect coloration. undergo an annual molt post-breeding season, typically after egg-laying completion in P. gymnocephalus, involving replacement on the wings and body. In P. oreas, molt occurs in , coinciding with the breeding period.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

Picathartes, comprising the white-necked picathartes (Picathartes gymnocephalus) and the grey-necked picathartes (P. oreas), are restricted to tropical West and Central , with a fragmented distribution spanning from in the west to the and further east into and the . This overall range covers approximately 532,000 km² for P. gymnocephalus and 522,000 km² for P. oreas, but due to ongoing forest loss has isolated populations into small, discontinuous patches across the Upper Guinea and forests. The white-necked picathartes is endemic to the Upper Guinea forests of , occurring from southern and southeastern through , , Côte d'Ivoire, to . In , the species was considered extinct until its rediscovery in 2003 at the Subim Forest Reserve, where subsequent surveys have identified at least 18 sites across forests and off-reserve areas, though many historic colonies have disappeared; a 2025 survey in the Nyamibe Bepo Forest Reserve recorded 54 nests across 10 sites and 88 individuals. Its distribution is highly fragmented, with known colonies limited to about 18 sites in , 6 in and Côte d'Ivoire each, and multiple sites in , often confined to protected areas like Mount Nimba and . In contrast, the grey-necked picathartes inhabits a more continuous but still fragmented range in , from southeastern and western to southern , through southwestern , (including Island), , and southwestern . Key sites include in , the Dja Biosphere Reserve in , and Mount Doudou in , where the species was first recorded in 2000, marking a significant southern extension. Additional records from Dzanga Sangha in the (2009) and Mayombe Forest in Congo (1994) highlight gradual expansions in documented distribution, though populations remain isolated due to discontinuities. Both species occupy lowland forests primarily, with elevations ranging from to 800 m for P. gymnocephalus and up to 800–1,200 m (occasionally higher to 2,100 m in ) for P. oreas. They exhibit no migratory behavior, maintaining sedentary populations that range over several kilometers but remain closely tied to breeding and roosting sites year-round. Historically, the range of picathartes was more extensive, encompassing larger contiguous forest blocks in pre-colonial West and , but contractions have occurred since the early 1900s due to widespread and degradation. For P. gymnocephalus, records indicate it was once widespread in until the 1960s, with subsequent local extirpations linked to forest clearance. Similarly, P. oreas populations have become increasingly fragmented as the forests diminished, reducing connectivity between colonies.

Habitat requirements

Picathartes species primarily inhabit lowland to montane tropical rainforests in West and , favoring areas with rocky outcrops, caves, and cliffs that provide sheltered nesting sites. These birds require closed-canopy forests with a dense and thick leaf litter on the , which sustains a high abundance of crucial for their . Both the white-necked picathartes (Picathartes gymnocephalus) and grey-necked picathartes (P. oreas) show a strong preference for primary forest habitats over secondary growth or clearings, though P. gymnocephalus exhibits some tolerance for disturbed secondary forests and farmbush areas. Key habitat features include proximity to streams or seasonal rivers, which offer moisture and aid in predator deterrence during breeding, as well as steep slopes and high forest cover that maintain microclimatic stability. Nesting occurs exclusively in protected microhabitats such as under rock overhangs, in caves, or on sheer cliff faces, where mud nests are constructed to shield eggs and chicks from rain and predators; these sites often feature large rock surfaces and nearby tall emergent trees for additional cover. Foraging takes place in shaded forest understory and edges, where the birds exploit leaf litter-rich areas teeming with arthropods. Picathartes maintain a symbiotic association with army ant columns (Dorylus spp.), relying on these swarms to flush prey from the forest floor litter, thereby enhancing foraging efficiency in their preferred humid, invertebrate-abundant environments. Altitudinal limits vary by species, with P. gymnocephalus typically occurring below 500 m in hilly terrain and P. oreas ranging from near sea level up to 2,100 m in montane s, but both are confined to elevations where dense, moist persists. These birds are highly sensitive to , as forest loss and degradation reduce nesting site availability and grounds, leading to colony abandonment in disturbed areas; intact forest connectivity is essential for their persistence.

Behavior and ecology

Foraging and diet

Picathartes primarily consume a diet dominated by , which constitute approximately 70% of their intake, including beetles (Coleoptera), (Isoptera), (Formicidae), grasshoppers (), earwigs (Dermaptera), and other arthropods such as spiders (Araneae) and millipedes. They supplement this with other invertebrates like earthworms (), slugs, snails (), and crabs (Decapoda), as well as small vertebrates including frogs (Anura) and , particularly skinks; vegetable matter such as fruits, flower buds, and occasional seeds forms a minor component. These birds employ ground-based techniques, using bounding hops to move through the understory while probing leaf litter and with their strong bills to uncover hidden prey; they occasionally forage on low branches or in shallow streams for . A key strategy involves following swarms of driver ants ( spp.) to flush out , allowing opportunistic capture of disturbed prey without specialized hunting. Foraging occurs actively from dawn to dusk, with birds often traveling in small groups of 2–20 individuals, though pairs or solitary also happens; they are opportunistic feeders, exploiting available resources on the near rocky areas or streams. Midday inactivity is common, with roosting in nests or sheltered sites before resuming in the afternoon. Seasonal variations influence prey selection, with greater availability of vertebrate items like frogs during the (May–October), when humidity supports activity, leading to their inclusion in the diet; activity reduces in the (November–April), coinciding with and lower abundance, though earthworms remain accessible. Animal resources comprise 54–62% of the diet in the for adults and chicks, rising to about 60% in the . Due to their large size (33–38 cm long and 200–250 g), Picathartes have high metabolic demands, necessitating foraging typically within 200–300 m of breeding or roosting sites to meet energy needs.

Reproduction and breeding

Picathartes species exhibit a monogamous , with pairs forming long-term bonds and breeding cooperatively without evidence of helpers at the nest. Breeding occurs seasonally during the , typically spanning several months; for the white-necked picathartes (Picathartes gymnocephalus) in , egg-laying takes place from June to December, peaking in October, while for the grey-necked picathartes (Picathartes oreas) in southeastern and , it aligns with March to November. Pairs defend breeding territories vigorously, sometimes engaging in aggressive interactions at colony sites. Nests are constructed as cup-shaped structures from mixed with , measuring approximately 10.8 cm deep, 17.2 cm wide, and 12.9 cm high on average, and are attached to walls, rock ledges, or overhanging cliffs, often in valleys or forested slopes. These nests are built singly or in small colonies of 1–10 pairs (rarely up to 40), with most sites supporting 1–2 nests spaced about 1.5 m apart and positioned 1–3 m above the ground. Nests are typically used for a single breeding attempt per season but may be reused across years or for renesting after failure, with intervals between clutches averaging 20 days. Both species show similar nesting preferences, though P. oreas nests are often on steeper rock faces in areas with lower canopy cover (around 55%). Clutches consist of 1–3 eggs, most commonly 2, with a mean size of 1.92 for P. gymnocephalus; eggs measure about 38.3 mm long by 26.2 mm wide and weigh 14.7 g on average. Incubation is shared biparentally, with both sexes taking turns in bouts lasting around 60 minutes and achieving about 59% constancy, lasting a of 20 days for P. gymnocephalus and 21–24 days for P. oreas. Nests are rarely left unattended for extended periods during this phase. The nestling period averages 25 days for P. gymnocephalus (range 23–29 days) and 26 days for P. oreas, after which young but remain dependent on parents for an additional 14 days, achieving independence at around 6–7 weeks. is biparental, with both adults provisioning primarily with invertebrates such as earthworms, insects, millipedes, and small frogs, at rates of about 2.8 feeds per hour for a brood of two; provisioning increases with nestling age and brood size, and fledglings are roughly 70% of adult size at departure. Adults initially brood nestlings extensively (up to 86% of the time) and defend the site aggressively. Breeding success is low, with only 22.9% of eggs surviving to fledging for P. gymnocephalus, resulting in an average of 0.44 fledglings per pair annually—equivalent to roughly one successful young every two years. Main causes of failure include predation and within colonies, though data for P. oreas suggest comparable challenges given similar nesting habits.

Conservation

Status and threats

The two species of picathartes, the white-necked picathartes (Picathartes gymnocephalus) and the grey-necked picathartes (Picathartes oreas), face varying levels of conservation concern. The white-necked picathartes is classified as Vulnerable on the due to ongoing habitat loss and population declines, a status it has held since assessments in the late . In contrast, the grey-necked picathartes is assessed as Near Threatened, reflecting a small but more widespread population that is nonetheless declining due to similar pressures. Both species have estimated populations of 2,500–9,999 mature individuals, with the white-necked picathartes exhibiting more fragmented distributions and lower numbers in some regions. Population trends indicate declines for both, with the white-necked picathartes suspected to be declining rapidly driven by habitat degradation. The grey-necked picathartes is experiencing a slower decline of 1–10% in recent decades, though local populations remain vulnerable to fragmentation. The primary threats to picathartes species include through commercial , agricultural expansion, mining, and bush-burning, which fragment their required forested rocky habitats. Hunting for and collection for traditional uses, along with human disturbance from activities such as , further exacerbate risks by disrupting breeding colonies. Nest predation and low breeding success compound these issues, particularly in unprotected areas. Notable events highlight the precarious status of these birds. The white-necked picathartes was rediscovered in in 2003 after being presumed extinct there since the 1960s, with individuals mist-netted and nests located in the Ayum and Subim forest reserves, underscoring the need for targeted surveys. For the grey-necked picathartes, populations in some protected areas like those in show relative stability, but sites such as Mbam Minkom forest have seen sharp declines, from 40 to 20 breeding individuals between 2003 and 2007. Colony sizes for both species are typically small, ranging from 10–15 individuals on average, with occasional groups up to 50, making them highly susceptible to localized threats.

Protection efforts

Conservation efforts for picathartes species focus on habitat protection, , and scientific monitoring to address their vulnerability across West and Central Africa. Both the white-necked picathartes (Picathartes gymnocephalus) and grey-necked picathartes (Picathartes oreas) benefit from legal protections, including Appendix I status for both species and national laws prohibiting exploitation in countries like , though enforcement remains limited. Key protected areas serve as critical refuges for these birds. For the white-necked picathartes, important sites include Gola Rainforest National Park in , where colonies are actively monitored, and forest reserves such as Subim, Ayum, and Bonsam Bepo in , which support breeding populations. The grey-necked picathartes is found in reserves like the Dja Faunal Reserve and Korup National Park in , as well as in , where over 20 Important Bird and Areas (IBAs) cover significant portions of its range, with more than half under formal protection. Major initiatives emphasize collaborative action and local involvement. led the development of International Species Action Plans in 2004 for the white-necked picathartes and 2006 for the grey-necked species, aiming to stabilize populations through habitat management, awareness raising, and capacity building among stakeholders. In , the Picathartes Education and Conservation for Knowledge (PECK) project, initiated in the early 2000s by the Ghana Wildlife Society and local tour operators, promotes community-based around sites like Bonkro Forest Reserve, generating income for villagers while fostering habitat stewardship. The Cameroon Biodiversity Conservation Society is developing a national IBA strategy that includes monitoring protocols tailored to the grey-necked picathartes. Research efforts support these initiatives with targeted data collection. Monitoring programs in and use annual nest surveys to track breeding success for the white-necked picathartes, while camera traps have been deployed in to observe grey-necked picathartes behavior and nest outcomes with minimal disturbance. A 2025 study in Ghana's Nyamibe Bepo Forest Reserve found stable colony sizes in that area but confirmed broader population declines due to habitat loss. Genetic studies, including landscape genetics analyses, are recommended and underway in fragmented habitats to evaluate population structure, levels, and connectivity between colonies for both species. These efforts have yielded notable successes in select areas. In Sierra Leone's Gola Rainforest, long-term monitoring has documented population stability over two decades, aided by the site's upgrade to status and reduced disturbance. The 2024 BirdLife Africa Report highlighted thriving Picathartes populations in as evidence of effective conservation. Awareness campaigns tied to in , such as those under PECK, have decreased incidental hunting by engaging local communities and providing economic alternatives to forest exploitation. The 2003 rediscovery of the white-necked picathartes in spurred renewed action plans and surveys, confirming viable colonies. Ongoing monitoring by the Ghana Wildlife Society continues to inform targeted actions. Despite progress, challenges persist in sustaining these protections. Funding shortages hinder expanded monitoring and anti-poaching patrols across range countries, limiting the scope of action plans. Enforcement is particularly difficult in transboundary forests like the Gola complex, shared between and , where cross-border activities complicate management. Ongoing research highlights the need for adaptive strategies, as projected effects on could further isolate colonies, though specific impacts remain understudied.

References

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  4. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-necked-rockfowl-picathartes-oreas
  5. https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=303653379A703A4F
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  12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1599865/
  13. https://fatbirder.com/ornithology/picathartidae-rockfowl/
  14. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.whnroc1.01
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  16. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263722059_Body_mass_measurements_and_moult_of_the_White-necked_Picathartes_Picathartes_gymnocephalus_in_Sierra_Leone
  17. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233552161_Moult_of_Guinea_savanna_passerines_in_West_Africa
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  39. https://www.facebook.com/ghanawildlifesoc/posts/fieldupdates-protecting-the-white-necked-picathartesthe-gws-research-team-is-out/964575955781573/
  40. https://golarainforest.org/wildlife
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