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Photo.Keely | all galleries >> Special Projects >> Red > Crowned Hornbill (Tockus alboterminatus)
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04-NOV-2013 Dick Keely

Crowned Hornbill (Tockus alboterminatus)

Savuti Marsh, Chobe National Park, Botswana

Nesting Pair - Female in lower left - just about to enter her nest. The male has a Cicada in his bill.
It is a medium-sized bird (length 50-54 cm), and it is characterized by its black back and wings and by its white belly.
The eyes are yellow; the beak is red and presents a stocky casque on the upper mandible.
The tips of the long tail feathers are white and in females, the casque is smaller.
It is a common resident of the coastal and riverine forests of southern to northeastern Africa, but only the eastern coast.
It forages mainly in trees, where it feeds in insects (often caught in flight), small rodents and reptiles, seeds and fruits.
Four to five white eggs are incubated for 25 to 30 days; the juveniles remain with both parents for about 8 weeks.
The female is sealed into the nest by the male. The nest is either a hole in a tree or in a rock face
References: Wikipedia; Pocket Guide to Birds of Southern Africa, Burger Cillie & Ulrich Oberprieler.


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Martin Lamoon05-Jan-2014 19:38
These are great birds, well captured together.
v
GaleriaFotoStefan05-Jan-2014 17:39
nice colors, V
Alexander Kazakov05-Jan-2014 15:38
Well done! V
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