|
|
|
Tockus nasutus
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The African Grey Hornbill is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa and into Arabia.
This is a bird mainly of open woodland and savannah. The female lays two to four white eggs in a tree hole, which is blocked off during incubation with a cement made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one narrow aperture, just big enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and the chicks.
When the chicks and the female are too big to fit in the nest, the mother breaks out and rebuilds the wall, then both parents feed the chicks.
This species is a large bird, at 45cm in length, but is one of the smaller hornbills. It has mainly grey plumage, with the head, flight feathers and long tail being a darker shade. There is a white line down each side of the head and one on the back which is visible only in flight. The long curved bill is black and has a small casque and a creamy horizontal stripe.
Sexes are similar, but the male has a black bill, whereas the female has red on the mandibles. Immature birds are more uniformly grey. The flight is undulating. The similarly sized Red-billed Hornbill has uniformly grey plumage.
The African Grey Hornbill is omnivorous, taking insects, fruit and reptiles. It feeds mainly in trees.
This conspicuous bird advertises its presence with its piping pee-o pee-o pee-o call.
Information source
Status IUCN
More Information
This photo is taken in the Manyara National Parc in Tanzania. Original format. |
shal, anel, mesquens has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
| Discussions |
| None | | You must be logged in to start a discussion. |
|
- shal
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 287 W: 71 N: 499]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2086) - [2007-02-25 15:55]
-
Hi Ferran,
nice shot of this hornbill,
we have them here, but not this species.
congratz on *500 :D
TFS,
Cheers :D
-
- manyee
(19698)
- [2007-02-26 3:02]
-
A handsome fellow with a proud bearing you have captured, Ferran.
Excellent details and perfect profile.
Too bad some of the bird is hidden by the leaves, but then, it really gives a sense of his habitat. I like it.
TFS. : )
-
- anel
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1166 W: 0 N: 1950]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(8279) - [2007-02-26 4:09]
-
Hi Ferran,
It has a strange shape this fellow! The pose of the bird is excellent and I always like if we can see the natural surrounding. Thank's.
Bonne journée
Anne
Olá Ferran,
Superb shot here. Colors, composition, sharpness, all is perfect.
Regards
Raimundo
