The term Abyssinia, is an old name for the region of Ethiopia, and scimitar refers to a curved sword, which its bill resembles.

It can be differentiated from other wood hoopoes by its all black legs and shorter tail, which is about the length of the bird's body excluding its head.

[7] The bird is found commonly in open bushed, and dry savanna habitats and is an uncommon resident in thorn srubs in low altitudes below 1400m (an intermediate biome between a dessert and tropical forest).

Listen here The bird is insectivorous and eats mostly live insects such as bees, beetles, larvae, caterpillars, ants, flies and wasps.

While much research has been done on the species, it has been observed to nest in abandoned beehives, although it does not consume honey or other bee products.

The exact frequency and effect that this relationship has on the species is not fully documented but there are several observations on clutch success rates.

In another case in June to July 2009, three young were raised by a pair of birds in a nest box at Greenwood Park Estate, Eburru, near Naivasha.

In another instance between October 2009 to July 2012, a pair of birds laid a total of 33 eggs (11 clutches of 3) over 3 years.

During the three year period, no scimitarbills hatched, while 7 out of a total of 12 of the parasitic honeyguide eggs successfully fledged.