Tockus kempi
The Western Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus kempi) is a distinctive medium-sized hornbill characterized by its striking red bill, which gives the species its common name. Measuring approximately 35-40 cm (14-16 inches) in length, it exhibits classic hornbill morphology with a large, curved bill and a relatively long tail. Its plumage is predominantly black on the upperparts, contrasting sharply with a clean white belly and white facial stripes, including a prominent supercilium and postocular str...
Found in dry savanna, thorny scrubland, and open woodlands, preferring areas with scattered trees for nesting and roosting. Primarily occurs in low to moderate elevations across its range.
Feeds primarily on large insects like beetles, grasshoppers, and termites, as well as spiders and scorpions, often foraging on the ground. Also consumes small reptiles, amphibians, fruits, and seeds.
Western Red-billed Hornbills are diurnal, active from dawn to dusk, often roosting communally in trees. Their foraging strategy primarily involves ground gleaning, where they walk or hop, picking up insects and other small prey; they also search arboreally for fruits and arthropods. They are gene...
The Western Red-billed Hornbill is endemic to West Africa, where it is a resident species, meaning it does not undertake seasonal migrations. Its primary breeding and year-round range extends from Senegal and The Gambia eastward through southern Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Côte d'I...
Least Concern
- The female Western Red-billed Hornbill seals herself inside a tree cavity during nesting, relying entirely on the male to feed her and the chicks through a narrow slit. - This unique nesting strategy, where the female undergoes a complete molt while sealed, protects her and the vulnerable eggs/...