grey grey medium sized bird family long neck tail known grey mainly found rocky areas close south west nigeria south west additionally lives island distribution populations isolated typically chooses live near streams forested habitat recognized subspecies believe forms white grey grey light grey breast lemon coloured unusually long tail balance muscular head nearly exposed skin powder blue forehead upper bird eyes covered large circular black patch narrow connects divides powder blue skin peak crown bird usually silent calls known feeds primarily insects plant matter fruit flower eaten feeding strategy involves following army feeding insects ants forest mainly series bounds short flights low vegetation travels small groups species rarely flies long distances grey pairs nest vicinity pairs colonies nests colony nests recorded nests constructed mud formed deep cup built rock surfaces typically caves cliffs eggs laid twice year birds breed colonies exists species attempting kill young pairs mature month species classified vulnerable fragmented populations threatened habitat destruction conservation plan drawn species research current distribution ongoing indigenous peoples respect species cases fear today considered africa desirable birds symbol range taxonomy species described bird collected base near published description described generic split grey close relative white crow genus placed genus white share characteristics common members head generic comes combination latin genera vulture species derived ancient greek word meaning mountain initial description placed different families including old world today grey white believed comprise unique family additionally suggested generally accepted represent remnants ancient bird order recent dna analysis shown closest relatives southern africa south east asia rail form clade analysis suggests split common ancestor clade million years ago believed ancestor clade originated australia spread africa grey subspecies form white plumage facial pattern main differences species species numerous common names including grey grey bare headed red headed blue headed grey bald crow reference species habit building mud nests rock surfaces caves refers species scientific bald crow reference head somewhat crow like appearance especially description measures approximately centimetres length notably long tail contributing centimetres species sexual adult head largely skin forehead upper bird powder blue lower rest upper black unusually large crow like millimetres length small like feathers located crown erected crown species bare skin coloration like feathers area patches skin ear region black skin eyes dark brown grey mantle grey feathers long dense silky additionally tail grey chin throat sides neck upper breast pale grey bird lemon colour lower breast belly flanks flanks appear wing grey wing black forming line lemon grey legs feet silver grey muscular adult weighs grams born nearly tiny primary fine spine skin dark pink displays variable black patches yellow develops plumage begins resemble adult white wing skin head black dark brown powder blue dark reddish brown immature closely resembles adult bare patch head golden yellow instead tail long adult grey relatively silent species known quiet second long times intervals seconds opens throat bringing food nests adults reaching nest adult repeatedly makes low sound described makes noise described distribution habitat grey found west_africa southeast nigeria southwest nigeria found nation southeastern corner near coast border species widespread southwestern country considered species stronghold found southwestern additionally species resides southwestern forests island record species suspected population country grey total range covers approximately square kilometres grey prefers rugged terrain forests covered large caves additionally found near source water river forest pool forests sparse open spaces covered southwestern found low forests receive nearly metres rain year habitat dense vertical near habitat normally found metres sea level lower elevation species non migratory site birds remained metres nesting site year capable living near human activity breeding site located metres plot recent observations suggest greater tolerance degraded habitat previously thought ecology behavior usually lives pairs small flocks birds uncommon normally moves habitat series runs long ground low branches uses tail balance running flock hop unusual occurrences species fly fast capable navigating trees rocks standing tail head looking typically unusual movements forest birds know sighted occasionally approach observers shy species knows seen studies things interest including humans open location species suspicious raises small crown head neck active early morning late evening remains little activity areas caves away nests scratch head species lifts foot head small pools lifespan wild unknown lived years captivity diet species early morning late afternoon small groups leaf litter dead tree known leap upwards grab prey foliage looks prey standing scanning surrounding area leaf litter away frequently follows columns ants feeding insects ants known hunt streams crabs fish prey struggles ground uncommon occurrence male observed giving food female grey feeds diverse range invertebrates small plant matter constitute major diet known eat beetles including beetles click beetles genus butterflies ants genera family lions small frogs eaten crabs genus fruits flower leaves fish identified prey item nigeria nesting site relies heavily feeding bat near cave behaviour reported lesser extent sites known eaten form overall percent bird diet believed composed animals beetle larvae ants frequently eaten prey study nigeria reproduction grey breeds small colonies averaging nests size nearly nests present site breed mate believed breed different birds observed feeding nest courtship displays unknown timing egg laying colony synchronized leading stages development colony suggested promote cooperative breeding laying dates vary region typically coinciding weeks onset wet season areas wet season different breeding seasons occur mountainous regions breeds dry season avoid frequent wet season birds nigeria lay eggs august november birds lay november april birds western lay march november peaks june july october birds southern breeding seasons main october december secondary lasting april nesting occurs mid february builds nest sides rocks normally caves nests built entrance deep nearly vertical cliff faces bare vegetation woody branches near nest nests need built protect water rock surface normally slopes forward slightly nests found near water form streams forest pools streams particularly located base nesting cliff help predators away nests nests rock surfaces normally built metres ground addition rock face nests record nest constructed root tree small stream nests built concrete bridge national park male female work equally nest construction months build extreme cases takes year nest half cup constructed dry mud grass dead leaves mixed plant matter sticking nest walls built rock surface cases built like retaining wall opening small rock nests built away metre cases metres nest normally centimetres thick nest uneven construction nest centimetres thick centimetres wide centimetres long weighs kilograms nest sizes large degree mud hard structure inside nest lined thin strips grass eggs normally laid second egg laid hours eggs variable coloration light yellow brown dark brown white dark brown grey pale grey brown eggs weigh grams average size millimetres millimetres begins eggs laid time spends varies greatly minutes time nearly hours sessions male female bird mate comes gives brief causes bird leave nest days prior hatching adult eggs food lasts days hatch hatch day apart adult quickly remove fragments nest newborn weighs grams hatching quickly gains weight eyes open tail begins grow fifth day couple days food brought times hour peaking evening begging expose parent sound second hatched fails gain weight dies evidence suggesting adults remains days hatching adult stays guards collects food despite nests destroyed drills chicks leave nest days recorded species killing young case second pair moved nest killing pair relationship humans grey respected indigenous peoples cases feared known names indigenous peoples nigeria translating bird rocks stream hunters nesting caves known kill eat adult generally thought small eat left children hunt 1950s 1960s western desired species leading large demand collect display british author species target trips describes zoo trade species non existent today zoo population sustain despite sporadic breeding captive died grey depicted numerous postage stamps nigeria stamps live considered difficult species bird wild grey symbol conservation efforts range species considered desirable birds africa conservation grey considered vulnerable habitat destruction isolated populations collection adults predation low breeding success rate habitat destroyed create large agricultural fields plantations logging slash burn agriculture highly specialized requirements habitat population fragmented species believed naturally rare competition nesting sites result strict requirements lead estimated population individuals believed population lower end estimate parts range possible species common believed population colonies reaching minimum levels needed long term viability falls victim spring traps set mammals hunters threat numbers widespread collection display 1950s 1960s risk negatively affected disturbances daily routine proper viewing procedures followed nation national law protecting species law prohibits killing captured proper permit international trading grey governed cites appendix meaning legal trading species authorized extraordinary circumstances international drafted international action plan provide strategies protecting species plan focused surveying remaining habitat raising awareness local populace limiting continued destruction habitat protected areas lives national parks additionally little habitat destruction locations places lives believed inaccessible future human development recent surveys discovered new populations grey
Grey-necked rockfowl