Trumpeter Hornbill

The Trumpeter Hornbill is a large, forest-dwelling hornbill of eastern and southern Africa, known for its bold black-and-white plumage, casqued bill, and distinctive far-carrying calls that give the species its name.

Appearance

• Glossy black upperparts, head, and breast, with white underparts and white outer tail feathers
• Large, mostly black bill with a prominent, hollow, arched casque atop the upper mandible
• Bare pinkish-red skin around the eye
• White rump visible in flight, contrasting with the black wings and back
• Sexes are similar, though the casque tends to be somewhat larger in males

Key field marks

• Large size with a heavy black bill and prominent arched casque
• Black-and-white plumage with a white belly and white outer tail feathers, conspicuous in flight
• Bare reddish skin around the eye
• Loud, wailing calls often heard before the bird is seen

Similar species

Other large forest hornbills in the genus Bycanistes, such as the Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, can appear similar but typically have a larger, more strongly ridged casque and different vocalizations; range and habitat, along with casque shape, help distinguish them.

Habitat

Trumpeter Hornbills inhabit coastal forest, riverine and gallery forest, and forest edges and woodland with large fruiting trees.

Range

They are found along the eastern side of southern Africa and up into East Africa, including coastal regions of South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Migration

They are largely sedentary but may make local movements tracking the fruiting of key food trees such as figs.

Behavior

Trumpeter Hornbills are usually seen in pairs or small to large flocks, especially at fruiting fig trees where many individuals may gather to feed together. Their flight is heavy and undulating, with audible whooshing wingbeats.

Voice

The species is named for its loud, wailing, nasal calls that resemble a baby crying or a trumpet-like wail, often given as duets and audible over long distances in forest habitat.

Feeding

They are primarily frugivorous, favoring figs and other forest fruits, which they pluck and swallow whole, but they also take insects and small animals opportunistically, playing an important role in seed dispersal.

Nesting & breeding

Like other hornbills, the female seals herself into a natural tree cavity using mud and droppings, leaving only a narrow slit for the male to pass food through during incubation and early chick development, before breaking out later in the nesting cycle.