Ceratogymna elata
The Yellow-casqued Hornbill, Ceratogymna elata, is a magnificent, large-bodied resident of the West and Central African rainforests, immediately recognizable by its striking appearance. Males typically measure around 70-80 cm (27-31 inches) in length, possess an impressive, pale yellow casque atop a powerful bill, and can weigh between 2.0-3.1 kg (4.4-6.8 lbs). Their plumage is predominantly glossy black, contrasting sharply with a long, predominantly black tail tipped with white, and conspic...
Found primarily in lowland tropical rainforests, dense secondary forests, and gallery forests, extending to mid-montane elevations up to 1,400 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, relying heavily on the fruits of oil palms and figs, supplemented with insects (beetles, mantises), small reptiles, amphibians, bird eggs, and rodents.
This diurnal species spends most of its active hours high in the forest canopy, often roosting communally in tall trees. Foraging is predominantly arboreal, with individuals systematically searching for fruit and prey among the branches, using their powerful bill to pluck or crush items. Yellow-c...
The Yellow-casqued Hornbill is a resident species found across a broad swathe of West and Central Africa, exhibiting no migratory movements. Its breeding range extends from Sierra Leone and Guinea eastward through Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. Further east, populations ...
Vulnerable
- The Yellow-casqued Hornbill is one of the largest and most impressive forest hornbills in Africa. - Its massive yellow casque, while appearing heavy, is actually lightweight due to a spongy, honeycomb internal structure. - These hornbills are vital seed dispersers, playing a critical role in th...