Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill

Gray head and neck with white streaking, white underparts, and black upperparts heavily spotted and barred with white. Wings are black with white spots. The long tail is black with white tips on the outer feathers. Females have a slightly smaller bill and a black patch on the lower mandible, whereas males have an entirely yellow bill with a reddish-brown base.

Large curved yellow bill, speckled grayish head and neck, white underparts, and black-and-white spotted wings and back.

Length: 48-60 cm, Wingspan: approx. 70-80 cm, Weight: 130-240 g

A series of loud, clucking or piping notes that accelerate into a cackling sound, often accompanied by wing-raising displays.

Omnivorous, feeding on seeds, fruit, small insects, spiders, scorpions, and occasionally small reptiles or nestlings.

Arid and semi-arid savannas, thorn scrub, and dry broadleaf woodlands.

Non-migratory resident.

Nests in natural tree cavities. The female seals herself inside the cavity using mud, droppings, and food remains, leaving only a narrow vertical slit for the male to pass food through during incubation and chick rearing.

Northern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus flavirostris), which is found further north in East Africa and has a brighter yellow bill and more extensive spotting, and Von der Decken's Hornbill.

Acts as an important seed disperser in its native woodland and savanna habitats, and plays a role in controlling insect populations.

Least Concern, with stable populations across its wide range.

Look for them in open dry savanna and woodland areas, often foraging on the ground or perched prominently on low branches. They are relatively bold and frequently approach campsites or picnic areas in search of food.

This species inspired the character Zazu in Disney's 'The Lion King'. They often forage in loose groups or pairs and have a cooperative relationship with dwarf mongooses, joining them to catch flushed insects.