The bald-headed rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus) inhabits the forests of Central and West Africa. Many mysteries surround this bird in the wild, as it is difficult to approach this extremely shy and elusive species. Deep in the forest, it is challenging to find this bald-headed bird because they are very sensitive and will quickly stealthily escape at the sound of any suspicious noise.
The P. gymnocephalus sports a plumage primarily of dark gray, except for the white feathers on its underbody. It has a long tail, long legs, and a humped back, with an average size of about 45 cm. Its beak is robust and black. However, the most peculiar aspect of its appearance is its head: featherless, with a striking orange-yellow color and two black spots on either side.
Although they are birds, they prefer to walk rather than fly. Throughout their lives, they primarily dwell on the ground and seldom fly high. Their strong legs and feet compensate for their inability to fly well, allowing them to make graceful leaps on the ground.
The primary diet of the bald-headed rockfowl consists of insects, crustaceans, amphibians, and fruits.
Even among the people of Africa, the bald-headed rockfowl P. gymnocephalus is considered a rare and remarkable bird. These birds typically nest together in rock caves. Their nests are constructed from mud, soil, and plant fibers, affixed to the walls of caves. The female lays two eggs at a time, and both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs for about 19 days. The chicks remain in the nest for 19 to 25 days before they can fend for themselves.
Bald-headed rockfowls often gather in caves within the mountainous forests, which helps protect them from many predators. Unfortunately, this habit of congregating in large numbers in caves has made their nests susceptible to detection by professional hunters.
In the wild, this species is becoming increasingly rare, primarily due to the ongoing deforestation. They are currently protected by law in Ghana (Africa).