African Grey Hornbill

Lophoceros nasutus

The African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is a medium-sized bird native to the woodlands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. This species is characterized by its distinctive grey plumage, black and white wings, and a long, down-curved bill. African Grey Hornbills are known for their unique nesting behavior, where the female seals herself inside a tree cavity using her own droppings and mud, leaving only a small slit for the male to pass food to her and the chicks. They primarily feed on insects, small reptiles, and fruits. Due to habitat loss and hunting, the African Grey Hornbill faces conservation challenges in some parts of its range.

Habitat: Woodlands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa

African Grey Hornbill
© Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0