Hornbills are a household of birds present in subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia (Papua Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu).

Of the 24 species of hornbills in Africa, six of them are present in South Africa. And all of those hornbills of South Africa are present in Kruger Nationwide Park.

These arboreal or semi-terrestrial birds fluctuate in dimension (the Southern floor hornbill is the largest hornbill species in South Africa) and have an omnivorous weight loss plan. 

Their  massive payments are very distinct and heavy, and are supported by highly effective neck muscle mass. This huge invoice is utilized in preening, foraging, nest development, and combating. Although their payments look fairly stable, they’re mild and honey-combed with air pockets. Some hornbills are outfitted with a horn-like casque (bigger in males) that stands proud of the highest of their invoice .

Hornbills are monogamous and so they nest in tree trunks and rock cavities. When nesting, the feminine seals herself up contained in the nesting cavity by blocking the doorway with mud, droppings, and regurgitated meals. She leaves a slim slot that they male makes use of to feed the grownup feminine by way of. This creates an almost predator-proof nest. She is going to keep sealed contained in the cavity for about 2.5 months. This habits ensures that the chicks are absolutely protected towards predation.

The hornbill is an omnivorous chicken and feeds on invertebrates, small mammals, small lizards, birds eggs, birds nestlings, seeds, and fruits. They appear to be very keen on figs.

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Topped Hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus)

Size: 19.5 – 21 inches Weight: 8 ounces

Conservation standing: Least concern (IUCN Pink Listing 2016)

Present in woodlands, the topped hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus) has darkish brown plumage, yellow eyes, white stomach, and is the one hornbill in South Africa that has a yellow strip on the base of its invoice. You will discover topped hornbills foraging in teams across the forest cover. They will decide bugs off vegetation and also can catch flying bugs within the air.

Their weight loss plan consists of invertebrates and small animals, and within the winter they’ll complement their weight loss plan with fruits.

Southern Floor hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)

Size: 43 inches, Weight: 8.3 kilos

Life expectancy: 70 years

Conservation standing: Weak (IUCN Pink Listing 2016)

The most important of the South African hornbills, the Southern floor hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is an endangered chicken and any encounter with these unimaginable animals is memorable. They will measure over three toes tall, weight as much as 14 kilos, and have a wingspan of about 5 toes. Their massive dimension and their purple facial pores and skin makes them straightforward to determine within the discipline.

You possibly can see these massive birds strolling across the savanna in small household teams, sometimes as much as 12 people. We noticed the person within the photograph with one other grownup and a juvenile (juvenile southern floor hornbills have yellow face markings as a substitute of purple). We noticed them for some time as they have been foraging for bugs. As soon as they’d discovered one, they might carry it round (as within the photograph), exhibiting their discover to the opposite members of the family as in the event that they have been very pleased with it. 

Southern floor hornbills have an extended lifespan and might stay as much as 70 years of age within the wild. Younger birds don’t attain maturity till they’re about 10 years outdated.

To be taught extra in regards to the conservation efforts to avoid wasting the Southern Floor hornbill go to Mabula Floor-Hornbill Venture. You possibly can submit your southern floor hornbill sightings straight on their web site or by emailing them at esearch@ground-hornbill.org.za.

Southern red-billed hornbill (Tockus rofurostris)

Size: 15.5 – 29 inches, Weight: 4.9 ounces

Conservation standing: Least concern (IUCN Pink Listing 2016)

The Southern red-billed hornbill (Tockus rofurostris) is a medium-sized hornbill that may be distinguished by its yellow eyes, purple beak, an a black patch in it decrease mandible.

Southern red-billed hornbills inhabit the savannah and open woodlands alongside riverine grasslands. They will also be present in semi-desert like within the Kalahari.

Whereas yow will discover southern red-billed hornbills in timber, they forage for prey on the bottom. Their weight loss plan is principally invertebrates, though sometimes will prey on small rodents, birds nestlings, lizards, and a few fruits. They’ll seek for small beetles and fly larvae by digging in soil or in animal dung.

Discovered usually in pairs or in small teams, they favor Mopane forests, thornveld, savannah and different dry habitats. Throughout the dry season when not breeding, they turn into considerably nomadic in most areas and flocks might type, feeding collectively and gathering at water holes within the savanna the place dung piles and meals are plentiful, however usually returning to roost of their territory.

Southern yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas)

Size: 19 – 23.5 inches, Weight: 4.6 – 8.5 ounces

Conservation standing: Least concern (IUCN Pink Listing 2016)

With a variety just like that of the African gray hornbill, the Southern yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas) is a really curious chicken and entertaining to look at. 

Southern yellow-billed hornbills inhabit the savannah and open woodlands, alongside riverine grasslands. They will also be present in semi-desert just like the Kalahari.

They feed on the bottom, and search within the leaf litter for small invertebrates. When obtainable, they’ll eat small rodents, birds eggs, and nestlings. They’re territorial, and are present in pairs or in small household flocks. The genus identify “Tockus” refers back to the distinctive “tock tock tock” name these hornbills make.

Throughout one in all our visits to the Kgalagadi Transfontier Nationwide Park, we have been staying in a cabin at Urikaruus Wilderness Camp when a faucet on the window glass woke us up. There have been two southern yellow-billed hornbills ‘knocking’ at our window! We suspected they noticed their very own reflection within the glass and weren’t amused by it! It is because, to them, they’re combating an intruder once they see their reflection.

Each time we see these hornbills, we try to comply with them for some time as they like to research the whole lot and so they entertain us for hours. 

African gray hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)

Size: 15.5 – 18.5 inches, Weight: 5.5 ounces

Life expectancy: 20 years

Conservation standing: Least concern (IUCN Pink Listing 2016)

This medium-sized hornbill may be distinguished from the opposite hornbills of South Africa by their massive black down-curved invoice and conspicuous casque. 

African gray hornbills (Lophoceros nasutus) are territorial and may be present in resident pairs throughout their mating season or in massive flocks throughout non breeding season. They favor wooded habitats and enormous thickets. 

The trumpeter hornbill is omnivorous. Its weight loss plan consists of enormous bugs, crabs, eggs, nestlings, reptiles, small birds, and varied fruits. They’re particularly keen on the fruits of the Natal Mahogany tree and figs. They will spend hours foraging in a single tree.

With a variety similar to that of Southern yellow hornbills, the African gray hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is distinguishable from different hornbills by the white markings on the decrease mandible.

Present in forests, the trumpeter hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus) has largely black plumage with a white stomach. It’s the hornbill species in Kruger that we discover most difficult to identify.

Their weight loss plan consists of fruit (their favorites are figs, berries, and drupes) and luxuriate in foraging in dense foliage the place they hunt for invertebrates and nestlings.

Trumpeter hornbills are sometimes present in pairs (the breeding pair), or in small household teams of three to five people. Nonetheless, this hornbill species frequently gathers with different trumpeters to type teams of some dozen. They roost in massive dense timber in flocks of as much as 200 people. At daybreak pairs of trumpeters will head out to forage in numerous instructions.

The place to see the hornbills of South Africa

To see hornbills in Africa, your greatest guess is to go out to northern South Africa. Kruger Nationwide Park is the candy spot, the place yow will discover all of the hornbills in South Africa. We notably just like the north of the park, the place the camps are quieter. We particularly like Punda Maria relaxation camp, Letaba relaxation camp, and Tsendze rustic camp.

Cristina Garcia

Zoologist and wildlife photographer. She has labored within the discipline with jackals, wolves, cheetahs, & leopards. She serves on the Board of Administrators of SEE Turtles, a non-profit sea turtle conservation group.

Learn her posts at Journey For Wildlife and see extra of her work at Actually Wild, & Our Wild Yard.