Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores - Hornbills

Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores
Hornbills
Page 25

Hornbills are large birds with long curved beaks. All species have long eyelashes, short legs and long tails. Most species nest in tree cavities. The female seals up the entrance once she has laid her eggs. It is sealed with her excrement which dries to form a barrier that keeps out tree snakes. A small hole is left in it so that her partner can feed her and the chicks.

The female and chicks will be in the sealed cavity for several months.

There are 50 species worldwide. Twenty-three are found in sub-Saharan Africa.

Von der Decken's Hornbill
Tockus deckeni

Length: 50 cm (20")

Status: Common

Habitat: Von der Decken's hornbill is found on savannas and semi-arid scrublands throughout East Africa.

Food: Von der Decken's hornbill eats insects, snails, mice, nestling birds and lizards. It also eats fruit, seeds and buds.

It is often seen with dwarf mongooses. They have a somewhat symbiotic relationship. The mongoose flushes out insects which the hornbill catches. In return, the hornbill warns the mongoose when a raptor, such as a martial eagle, appears.

Social System/Behavior: Von der Decken's hornbill nests in a tree cavity which the female seals using a mixture of excrement and food remains.

She lays two eggs which hatch a few weeks later. It will be eight weeks before she and the chicks break free. As with other hornbills, the male feeds her and the babies.

Predators: Large birds of prey will sometimes succeed in capturing one of these birds.

On rare occasions, a leopard or serval might grab a Von der Decken’s hornbill.

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