Bycanistes fistulator
The Piping Hornbill (Bycanistes fistulator) is a striking, medium-sized hornbill endemic to the tropical forests of West and Central Africa. Measuring approximately 50-60 cm (20-24 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) and weighing around 500-700 grams (1.1-1.5 lbs), this species is easily identifiable by its glossy black plumage contrasting sharply with white underparts, a white rump, and white tail corners. Its most distinctive feature is its long, pale cream to yell...
Primarily inhabits lowland evergreen rainforests, secondary forests, forest edges, and gallery forests, often extending into cultivated areas and plantations. Found from sea level up to elevations of approximately 1,500 meters (4,900 feet).
Mainly frugivorous, with a strong preference for figs, but also consumes a variety of other fruits, insects (grasshoppers, mantises), small reptiles, and bird eggs. Forages primarily by plucking food directly from trees.
Piping Hornbills are diurnal, spending most of their active hours foraging high in the forest canopy. They typically roost communally in large trees. Their foraging strategy primarily involves plucking fruits directly from branches, but they are also opportunistic predators, swooping down to snat...
The Piping Hornbill has a wide distribution across West and Central Africa, divided into several subspecies. The nominate subspecies, *Bycanistes fistulator fistulator*, occurs from Senegal and Gambia eastward through Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin...
Least Concern
- The Piping Hornbill's scientific name 'fistulator' comes from the Latin 'fistula', meaning 'pipe' or 'flute', a direct reference to its distinctive whistling calls. - The casque, or bony growth on top of its bill, is larger in males and believed to play a role in sexual selection, display, and ...