African Pied Hornbill(Lophoceros fasciatus)
This is a large bird, 54 centimetres in length including the tail. It has mainly black plumage, with white belly and tail tip. The long, curved black and yellow bill has a medium-sized casque. The sexes are similar, but the female has a smaller casque. Juveniles have a duller plumage and smaller beaks. They lack the casque of the adults. Their flight is described as a smooth wavelike motion. Their vocalizations are described as whistling pii-pii-pii-pii- calls.
Habitat
They are resident (non-migratory) birds that are found in equatorial Africa - from the Gambia to western Uganda and northern Angola. They mostly inhabit forests.
Diet
African Pied Hornbills are omnivores and they mostly feed on fruit and insects. They typically forage in trees, and are often visiting Oil Palms.
Breeding
African Pied Hornbills nest in tree cavities, the entrance of which they mostly close off with a cement made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp, while they are incubating the eggs inside. The purpose of this is to keep potential predators out of the nest. The average clutch consists of two to four white eggs. The male feeds the female and young by transferring food through a narrow opening. When the chicks and the female are too big to fit in the nest, the female will break out and rebuilds the wall, again only leaving a small opening. Both parents will feed the nestlings until they are independent.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, they are classed as Least Concern(LC). The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be widespread and locally common to very common. The population trend is difficult to determine because of uncertainty over the impacts of habitat modification and hunting on population sizes.
Threats
They are not currently globally threatened
Conservation
There are not any conservation actions for them.