Africa’s dense rainforests were once an untouched avian paradise — not anymore. For these three birds, it’s becoming harder to keep to the skies.
Africa boasts one of the largest RAINFORESTS — within which live thousands of birds. But like so many of their other winged cousins around the world, these birds are flying in the face of change. From Liberia’s Sapo National Park to the Congo Basin, life has become particularly challenging as the consequences of human activity settle in. Will these birds fly the coup?
African Gray Parrot
Inhabiting the RAINFORESTS of central Africa, African gray parrots (silver plumage, reddish tail, white mask) are known to be one of the smartest birds in the world — not only capable of mimicking human speech, but also recognizing shapes, colors and number sequences. Some have even been known to ask unprompted questions. And others display signs of high emotional intelligence and altruism — even helping strangers without reciprocity.
It’s this intelligence that has made African grays popular as pets. 1.3 million have been exported from Africa; thousands more have died in transit and because of the illegal wildlife trade. They are classified as endangered by the IUCN.
Hornbills
Ever heard of Zazu from The Lion King? Well, this character was actually a hornbill — a red-billed hornbill — one of the 62 hornbill species adorning the skies. While the iconic Great Billed hornbill can be found in Asia, Africa boasts nearly 30 species of hornbill, many of which are distributed across the continent’s savannas and RAINFORESTS.
Hornbills get their name from their horn-shaped bills. Some of these bills are decorated with “casques,” a hollow structure used to attract mates, make calls, and foraging. They are considered a keystone species, and whilst most African hornbill populations remain stable, many of their relatives in Asia — including the helmeted hornbill — are critically endangered due to poaching.
Peafowl
Did you know: a peacock is actually a peafowl?
Males peafowls are called peacocks, females are called peahens. The iconic peacock you know comes from Asia. But there is a smaller species, endemic to Africa’s RAINFORESTS and the national bird of the Democratic Republic of Congo, called the Congo peafowl. While they may not have the eye-like feathers of heir Asiatic cousins, they are still just as striking — with violet-green feathers, white crown, and red necks. This species' population faces declines from habitat loss.
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