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About Red-billed Hornbill ( Click- Readmore )


Red-Billed Hornbill

Scientific Name: Tockus erythrorhynchus
Distribution: West, East and South-East Africa
Habitat: Savannas and open woodland
Lifespan: 15 years
Length: 19 to 24 inches
Weight: less than 1 pound

Red-Billed hornbills are a group of hornbills found in the savannas and woodlands of sub-Saharan. It is an omnivore, eating fruit, insects and small animals. Hornbills are named because the shape of their bill reminded early people of cattle horns.

Fast Facts

  1. The red-billed hornbill is one of the smaller hornbills. It has a mainly whitish underbelly and head, a long tail and long curved red bill. The male and female look similar but the female has a smaller bill. The long curved bill is an adaptation for digging.
  2. Red-bills mostly live on the ground and roost in trees near the trunk or on a large branch. They can fly despite having relatively short wings.
  3. They are usually found in pairs or small family parties but during the dry season may congregate in flocks of several hundred at feeding areas such as water holes.
  4. Females usually lay three to six eggs in a tree cavity. She seals herself and the nest off with cement like substance made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. A narrow opening allows the male to transfer food to her and the chicks as they remain sealed inside.
    Incubation period is 23 to 25 days.