1-1-2024 BAKAU, GAMBIA - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL

 The African grey hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is a member of the hornbill family of mainly tropical near-passerine birds found in the Old World. It is a widespread resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa and the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula. The African grey hornbill has escaped or been deliberately released into Florida, USA, but there is no evidence that the population is breeding and may only persist due to continuing releases or escapes.

At 45–51 cm (18–20 in) in length, the African grey hornbill is a large bird, although it is one of the smaller hornbills. Its plumage is grey and brown, with the head, flight feathers and long tail being of a darker shade. There is a white line down each side of the crown and another down the back which is only visible in flight. Their long curved bills feature a small casque along the upper culmen, which is more prominent in males than females. A dark upper mandible with creamy-yellow mark or horizontal stripe is diagnostic of males, whereas females have tricoloured, red-tipped mandibles. The plumage of the male and female is similar. That of juveniles doesn't differ much from adults, but their bills are initially uniformly blackish. The flight is undulating. The similarly sized red-billed hornbills occur in similar savannah habitats but have pied plumage.

This conspicuous bird advertises its presence with a piping pee-o pee-o pee-o call.

29-12-2023 BAKAU, GAMBIA - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

The African grey hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is a member of the hornbill family of mainly tropical near-passerine birds found in the Old World. It is a widespread resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa and the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula.The African grey hornbill has escaped or been deliberately released into Florida, USA, but there is no evidence that the population is breeding and may only persist due to continuing releases or escapes.

At 45–51 cm (18–20 in) in length, the African grey hornbill is a large bird, although it is one of the smaller hornbills. Its plumage is grey and brown, with the head, flight feathers and long tail being of a darker shade. There is a white line down each side of the crown and another down the back which is only visible in flight. Their long curved bills feature a small casque along the upper culmen, which is more prominent in males than females. A dark upper mandible with creamy-yellow mark or horizontal stripe is diagnostic of males, whereas females have tricoloured, red-tipped mandibles. The plumage of the male and female is similar. That of juveniles doesn't differ much from adults, but their bills are initially uniformly blackish. The flight is undulating. The similarly sized red-billed hornbills occur in similar savannah habitats but have pied plumage.

This conspicuous bird advertises its presence with a piping pee-o pee-o pee-o call.

African grey hornbill is widespread over much of sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers open woodland and savannah.

The female lays two to four white eggs in a tree hollow, which is blocked off during incubation with a cement made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one narrow aperture, just large enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and the chicks. When the chicks and female outgrow the nest, the mother breaks out and rebuilds the wall, after which both parents feed the chicks.

The African grey hornbill is omnivorous, taking insects, fruit and reptiles. It feeds mainly in trees. 

18-12-2022 FARASUTO FOREST, GAMBIA - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

African grey hornbill is widespread over much of sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers open woodland and savannah.

The female lays two to four white eggs in a tree hollow, which is blocked off during incubation with a cement made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one narrow aperture, just large enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and the chicks. When the chicks and female outgrow the nest, the mother breaks out and rebuilds the wall, after which both parents feed the chicks.

17-4-2022 MANDINA LODGE, GAMBIA - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/512166-Lophoceros-nasutus

18-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

The African grey hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is a member of the hornbill family of mainly tropical near-passerine birds found in the Old World. It is a widespread resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa and the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula. The African grey hornbill has escaped or been deliberately released into Florida, USA, but there is no evidence that the population is breeding and may only persist due to continuing releases or escapes.

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

The African grey hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is a notable member of the hornbill family, a group of mainly tropical near-passerine birds. This species, with a length of 45–51 cm (18–20 in), is considered large, though it ranks among the smaller hornbills. Exhibiting a plumage of subdued grey and brown, the bird is darker on the head, flight feathers, and elongated tail. A distinctive white line graces each side of the crown, extending down the back and becoming visible only during flight.

Males can be distinguished by their dark upper mandible adorned with a creamy-yellow mark or stripe, while females boast a tricoloured, red-tipped mandible. Both sexes have a small casque on the upper bill, more pronounced in males. Juveniles resemble adults but initially have uniformly blackish bills. The flight of the African grey hornbill is characterized by a distinctive undulating pattern.

The African grey hornbill is partial to open woodlands and savannahs, where it can be found perched or in flight, traversing the expansive African skies.

This species is a widespread resident breeder across sub-Saharan Africa and extends its range into the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula.

The African grey hornbill is a sociable bird, often seen in pairs or small family groups. It is known for its piping "pee-o pee-o pee-o" call, a sound that resonates through its preferred habitats.

The call of the African grey hornbill is a distinctive and repetitive piping sequence, often rendered as "pee-o pee-o pee-o," which it uses to communicate within its habitat.

During the breeding season, the female lays two to four white eggs in a tree hollow. The entrance is sealed with a mixture of mud, droppings, and fruit pulp, leaving only a narrow slit for the male to pass food to the enclosed female and later, the chicks. As the nest becomes crowded, the female breaks free to assist in feeding the growing brood.

An omnivorous bird, the African grey hornbill's diet consists of insects, fruits, and occasionally reptiles. It predominantly forages in the trees, plucking its varied diet from the foliage.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the African grey hornbill as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant immediate threats to its survival.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_grey_hornbill

21-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/512166-Lophoceros-nasutus

7-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

In spite of it's top heavy appearance the beak of the grey hornbill is made up of a light skin of keratin overlying a bony support. The beak has lots tiny holes that are air chambers, resulting in the beak being incredibly light. The large bill may be the reason why hornbills have the first two neck vertebrae fused together.

Nesting african grey hornbills are monogamous.

When nesting natural cavities are used.

The female lays two to four white eggs.

The female undergoes a molt of all her flight and tail feathers at the time of egg laying. These are re-grown by the time she emerges from the nest.

To protect their young from predators the female seals herself inside the nest using mud, droppings, fruit pulp and her own feathers, leaving only a narrow slit through which the male will feed her and the young. Her mate will bring her and the chicks food as often as 10-20 times a day.

When the chicks are about half-grown, it gets a little cramped inside the nest, the female will break out and rebuild the wall. Both parents will then feed the chicks.

The young grey hornbills break their way out of the nest only when they are ready to fledge.

It's fair to say that African Grey Hornbills are not only beautiful, they are incredible parents.

19-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

11-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)

The African grey hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is a notable member of the hornbill family, a group of mainly tropical near-passerine birds. This species, with a length of 45–51 cm (18–20 in), is considered large, though it ranks among the smaller hornbills. Exhibiting a plumage of subdued grey and brown, the bird is darker on the head, flight feathers, and elongated tail. A distinctive white line graces each side of the crown, extending down the back and becoming visible only during flight.

Males can be distinguished by their dark upper mandible adorned with a creamy-yellow mark or stripe, while females boast a tricoloured, red-tipped mandible. Both sexes have a small casque on the upper bill, more pronounced in males. Juveniles resemble adults but initially have uniformly blackish bills. The flight of the African grey hornbill is characterized by a distinctive undulating pattern.

The African grey hornbill is partial to open woodlands and savannahs, where it can be found perched or in flight, traversing the expansive African skies.

This species is a widespread resident breeder across sub-Saharan Africa and extends its range into the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula.

The African grey hornbill is a sociable bird, often seen in pairs or small family groups. It is known for its piping "pee-o pee-o pee-o" call, a sound that resonates through its preferred habitats.

The call of the African grey hornbill is a distinctive and repetitive piping sequence, often rendered as "pee-o pee-o pee-o," which it uses to communicate within its habitat.

During the breeding season, the female lays two to four white eggs in a tree hollow. The entrance is sealed with a mixture of mud, droppings, and fruit pulp, leaving only a narrow slit for the male to pass food to the enclosed female and later, the chicks. As the nest becomes crowded, the female breaks free to assist in feeding the growing brood.

An omnivorous bird, the African grey hornbill's diet consists of insects, fruits, and occasionally reptiles. It predominantly forages in the trees, plucking its varied diet from the foliage.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the African grey hornbill as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant immediate threats to its survival.