Crowned hornbill

Introduction: Crown hornbills (Tockus alboterminatus) favour tall, dense woodland in primary and secondary forest regions. They can also be observed in strips of riverine forest. These hornbills gather in small family groups as opposed to pairs. They are arboreal, favouring forest canopies. They 'foliage bath' after rains and roost in shelter below the tree canopy on vines or twigs out of reach of predators in open spaces.

Distribution: Eastern Caprivi Strip only.

Diet: Fruits such as figs and crops that include maize, bananas, pecan nuts and peanuts. Diet also includes termite wings, beetles, millipedes, grasshoppers, caterpillars, chameleons and lizards. Toads and large spiders are also taken and the unpleasant tasting hairs of the caterpillar are wiped before eating.

Description: Small to medium-sized hornbill with a distinctive loud, high-pitched whistling calls. Their tail feathers are white tipped hence the name alboterminatus, with is Latin for white-ended.

Breeding: Usually 3 or 4 eggs are laid between October and January with an incubation period of 25 to 27 days.

Size: 50 to 54cm.

Weight: 245g.