Birds Active during the day

Common Scimitarbill

Rhinopomastus cyanomelas

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

With its signature sickle-shaped bill and shimmering midnight plumage, the Common Scimitarbill is the acrobat of the African savanna. This striking bird is a master of the bark, spending its days performing gravity-defying maneuvers to find hidden treats.

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Quick Identification

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Size

26–30 cm (10–12 inches) in length; weight typically between 24–38g (0.8–1.3 oz)

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Colors

Glossy black with a deep purple or violet iridescence; white bars on wings and white tips on the outer tail feathers; females and juveniles are slightly duller with brownish-grey throats.

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Key Features

Long, slender, and deeply downward-curved black bill
Iridescent blue-black plumage with white wing patches visible in flight
Highly acrobatic, often seen hanging upside down on bark
Long, graduated tail with distinct white spotting on the edges

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round; most vocal and active during the breeding season from August to January

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Diet Primarily insectivorous; feeds on beetles, larvae, spiders, and caterpillars by probing bark. They also occasionally consume nectar from flowering trees.

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Habitat Arid and semi-arid savannas, acacia woodlands, broad-leafed deciduous forests, and occasionally suburban gardens with mature indigenous trees.

Behavior

The Common Scimitarbill is a master of arboreal acrobatics, spending much of its day hitching along tree trunks and branches in search of food. Unlike their social relatives, the wood-hoopoes, scimitarbills are typically seen alone or in mated pairs. They possess a remarkable ability to probe into the narrowest crevices of bark, using their specialized bills to extract larvae and insects that other birds cannot reach.

These birds are restless and energetic, frequently fluttering from tree to tree with a distinctive, jerky flight pattern. While they can be somewhat shy around humans, they are highly vocal, often giving away their presence with a series of mournful, whistling 'poo-poo-poo' calls. They are strictly territorial and will actively defend their nesting holes—usually repurposed woodpecker or barbet cavities—from intruders during the breeding season.

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Camera Tips

To capture a Common Scimitarbill on camera, focus your efforts on vertical structures rather than the ground. These birds are bark-feeders, so mount your AI-powered camera 1.5 to 2.5 metres high on the trunk of a rough-barked tree, such as an Acacia or a Combretum. Angle the camera slightly upward to capture them as they hitch their way up the trunk. Because they move quickly and erratically, use a fast shutter speed or a 'burst' mode if your camera settings allow.

While they don't typically visit traditional bird feeders, they are highly attracted to water in arid environments. Placing a camera near a birdbath or a dripping water feature can yield excellent results, especially during the heat of the midday. Ensure the camera is positioned to capture the bird's profile to highlight the dramatic curve of the bill, which is their most striking feature.

Pay attention to the lighting; their iridescent feathers can appear flat and black in dull light but shimmer with vibrant purples and blues in direct sunlight. Position your camera facing north (in the Southern Hemisphere) to get the best light on the bird's plumage during the morning and afternoon peaks. If you have a 'tree-mount' accessory, use it to get the camera off the ground where these birds feel most comfortable.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Common Scimitarbill.

Green Wood-hoopoe

Much larger with a bright red bill and red legs, and travels in large, noisy family groups.

Black Scimitarbill

Has a shorter, less curved bill and lacks the white wing patches and tail spots found in the Common Scimitarbill.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Scimitarbills are diurnal and most active during the early morning and late afternoon. They spend these cooler hours energetically foraging for insects along tree trunks, often resting in deep shade during the hottest part of the day.

The best way to attract Common Scimitarbills is to preserve mature, rough-barked indigenous trees and avoid using pesticides, as they rely on a healthy population of bark-dwelling insects. A reliable water source, like a raised birdbath, is also a significant draw in drier regions.

Their diet consists almost entirely of insects and their larvae. They use their specialized scimitar-like bills to reach deep into tree crevices to pull out beetles, spiders, and caterpillars. Occasionally, they will also take a bit of nectar from flowers.

They can be found in suburban areas, provided there are enough large trees and parklands. They are less common in highly urbanized centers but thrive in 'green' suburbs that border natural woodlands or savannas.

The Common Scimitarbill is smaller and has a black bill and black legs, whereas the Green Wood-hoopoe is larger with a bright red bill and red legs. Additionally, Scimitarbills are usually solitary or in pairs, while Wood-hoopoes move in noisy social groups.

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