Crowned Hornbills

The Crowned Hornbills, Tockus alboterminatus, is an African hornbill.

Distribution / Range

The Crowned Hornbills is a common resident of the coastal and riverine forests of southern (only the eastern coast) to northeastern Africa.

In the dry season, this hornbill species can be seen in flocks.

Range of Crowned Hornbill in Blue

Description

This medium-sized bird measures between 50 and 54 cm i length.

It has a white belly and black back and wings. The tips of the long tail feathers are white. The eyes are yellow. The bill is red with a stocky casque (a large display growth on the upper mandible of the bill). In females, this casque is smaller.

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Crowned Hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus

Similar Species

The Crowned Hornbill can be distinguished from the similar Bradfield’s Hornbill by its shorter beak.

Diet / Feeding

It feeds on insects (often caught in flight), small rodents and reptiles, seeds and fruits.

Breeding / Nesting

The average clutch consists of 4 – 5 white eggs. The eggs are incubated for 25 to 30 days. The chicks are raised by both parents and leave the nest when they are about 8 weeks old.

Crowned Hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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