There are eight species in this family. They are all found in Africa, mainly south of the Sahara Desert.

Birds in this family are about 8–15 inches (20.3–38.1 cm) long. They have long, slightly curved, pointed bills, short rounded wings, and long tails. Most species are glossy green, blue, or purplish-black. Their bills and legs are usually red or black.

Woodhoopoes and scimitarbills live in open woodlands and forests. They nest in holes in trees, especially old woodpecker holes or natural tree cavities.

On the ground, they move by hopping rather than walking. They use their long bills to probe into tree bark and cracks to find insects and other small invertebrates.

Scimitarbills have more strongly curved bills than woodhoopoes. (A scimitar is a curved sword, which is where their name comes from.) Because of this shape, they are especially good at pulling insects from tight spaces in bark.

Scimitarbills are sometimes called scimitar-billed woodhoopoes.