Ceratogymna atrata
The Black-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata) is a magnificent avian spectacle of West and Central African rainforests, immediately recognizable by its striking all-black plumage and massive, helmet-like casque. Males boast a larger, smoother black casque with a yellow-tipped bill and blue throat wattles, while females feature a smaller, ridged black casque with a red-tipped bill and red wattles, showcasing clear sexual dimorphism. Reaching lengths of 70-80 cm and wingspans exceeding a mete...
Primary and mature secondary tropical rainforests, typically found from lowlands up to 1000-1500 meters in elevation.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of fruits (especially figs), supplemented with insects, small birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Black-casqued Hornbills are diurnal, often starting their day with loud vocalizations before dispersing from communal roosts in tall canopy trees. They are primarily arboreal foragers, sallying out to pluck fruits, gleaning insects from branches, and occasionally preying on small vertebrates. Bre...
The Black-casqued Hornbill is a resident species found across the rainforest belt of West and Central Africa, with no significant migratory movements. Its extensive breeding range stretches from Guinea and Sierra Leone eastward through Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, contin...
Vulnerable
- The casque, though appearing solid, is largely hollow and acts as a resonating chamber, amplifying their booming calls across the dense rainforest. - They are critical keystone species in their ecosystem, dispersing the seeds of hundreds of plant species over long distances, aiding forest regen...