Green Wood-Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) in Captivity

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Nix

Nix

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I'm curious to know if there are any green wood hoopoes currently being held in captivity, either in private or public collections. I understand that there are a few of these birds in the United States, but I'm wondering if there are any others in other parts of the world. Additionally, I'm curious to know if the population of green wood hoopoes in captivity is considered sustainable, or if there are concerns about genetic diversity, inbreeding, or other factors that might impact the long-term viability of this species.
 
They are not all that uncommon in private and public hands in Europe.
 
23 AZA facilities with them, population is doing okay I think. Should be a handful around in unaccredited/private hands too.
 
European zoos keep something under 30 birds.

I havent seen them offered in private trade in CZ in last few years, but at least few are present..
 
Of the 11 European collections, 5 are breeding them. From the other 6 collections, 5 are relative new holdings so maybe they will breed the species also on a later date. The species is quite easy to keep and to breed as I have found out myself at the Weltvogelpark Walsrode during the time I worked there at the end of the 1980s - we bred them 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989.
Also in the private hobby a small number is kept and bred in the Netherlands and Belgium.
 
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Thank you all for the information.

For some reason or another I was under the impression that Green Wood-Hoopoes were absent in Europe, otherwise I would of checked ZTL, though I’m glad they are around.

They are an extremely charismatic and personable species which I often enjoy seeing and photographing in our garden.
 
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