Bycanistes brevis
The Silvery-cheeked Hornbill (*Bycanistes brevis*) is a majestic and highly distinctive large bird endemic to the montane and riverine forests of East Africa. Measuring 63-70 cm (25-28 inches) in length and weighing between 1 to 1.5 kg (2.2-3.3 lbs), its plumage is predominantly glossy black, dramatically contrasted by a white lower back, rump, vent, and outer tail feathers. A massive, pale yellowish-cream to white casque surmounts its large bill, which features a deep furrow near the base, m...
Found in dense, tall evergreen forests, montane woodlands, and riverine forests, often occurring at elevations between 400 and 2,500 meters, occasionally reaching 3,000 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of wild fruits, especially figs, but also supplementing their diet with insects, small reptiles, eggs, and nestlings, particularly during the breeding season.
Silvery-cheeked Hornbills are diurnal, active primarily during daylight hours, foraging high in the forest canopy and often roosting communally in large trees. Foraging involves skillfully plucking fruits directly from branches, though they may occasionally descend for fallen items or protein sou...
The Silvery-cheeked Hornbill is endemic to the East African highlands, primarily within the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. Its range extends from extreme southeastern South Sudan, across central and eastern Ethiopia and Eritrea, through Uganda, Kenya, eastern Democratic Republic of Con...
Least Concern
- The female Silvery-cheeked Hornbill undergoes a remarkable transformation during nesting, sealing herself inside a tree cavity for up to four months, relying entirely on the male for sustenance. - They are vital 'gardeners of the forest,' playing a crucial role in seed dispersal for many tropic...