FEATHERS GALLERY KNYSNA LIMITED EDITION NO 1177 WOOD HOOPOE (MALE) OR KAKELAAR HAND CRAFTED

A LIMITED EDITION (NO 1177 OF 2000) FEATHERS GALLERY OF KNYSNA MALE WOOD HOOPOE.

Feathers Of Knysna was renowned for it's limited edition carved wooden birds.
What makes these birds unique is that each one of them is handmade from the carving to the painting.  In April 2016, the Feathers of Knysna owners retired and closed the factory.
These carved wooden birds were from the famous FEATHERSOF KNYSNA GALLERY. The town of Knysna was famous for its many art galleries to include the Feathers Gallery. These Feathers birds were part of a conservation awareness program/campaign aimed at improving the lot for urban and wild birds and a percentage of the price went towards Bird Sanctuary Awareness. At onetime Feathers of Knys as birds were sold in galleries in the US, Europe, as well as Africa. These original collectibles have become scarce and hard to find. Each bird is hand carved and painted/stained and are buffed to retain the natural wood luster and bring out the detail in the wood grain. They are limited editions and each bird is numbered.
The Wood hoopoe,also called kakelaar, anyof eight species of tropical African birds. They range in length from 22 to 38cm (8.5 to 15 inches), and all are predominately greenish or purplish black, with long graduated tails. 
Green Wood-Hoopoes (formerly known as Redbilled Woodhoopoes) of sub-Saharan Africa lives, rather like wolves, in close-knit groups that are headed by a dominant pair. When neighbouring groups meet, they engage in a distinctive flag-waving display. One or two birds from each group wave a piece of bark in the air, while the other birds in each group gather close together, rocking their bodies and calling.
The Green Wood Hoopoe is a highly specialized bird that exploits a unique position in nature.
It feeds in cracks and crevices. The female forages on branches for small insects, whereas the male probes in deep crevices for larger prey. Male and female have different bills length and shape, and they feed separately. As this species usually lives in groups, this gender-related feeding behaviour avoids competition for food or feeding sites within the flock.
The group defends collectively and strongly its territory against other flocks. The territorial disputes are accompanied by loud, cackling calls and intimidating postures.
This is a colorful bird and one that easily attracts attention. Apart from its striking iridescent plumage and scimitar-shaped, bright red beak and legs, it also makes a lot of noise and lets you know it is around. Its noisy character is reflected in its Afrikaans name, Rooibekkakelaar, which translates to red-beaked cackler. One of its isiZuluname, iNhlekabafazi, is equally descriptive, if not a bit irreverent. It roughly means the raucous laughter of women. There is no other similar bird in our area, so they are relatively easy to identify.
Size: Large 41CM LONG 14CM HIGH 8CM WIDE
Condition: ONE SMALL SCRATCH ON THE EYE. TWO RIM PAINT SCRAPES ON THE TAIL.
ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED