Crowned Hornbill

Afrikaans name: Gekroonde Neushoringvoël

Crowned Hornbill

Photo © Steven Herbert

Tockus alboterminatus

When birding in coastal or riverine forests along the eastern edge of South Africa you may here a loud twittering or staccato call which may lead you to seeing a Crowned Hornbill perched in the top of a tree. These hornbills normally look for their food in trees. They feed off a variety of foods including small rodents, insects, small reptiles and fruit. They are quite clumsy birds when seen manoeuvring through the foliage searching for food. Occasionally they will drop down to the ground to look for food.

The Crowned Hornbill is medium-sized, as hornbills, go, reaching a length of 50 to 55 cm. It has a white belly, blackish back, red bill and white streaks on the back of its head. Male and female are similar in colour, but males have a larger casque on their bills.

Photo © Steven Herbert

The Crowned Hornbill is often found in areas with big trees such as riverine and coastal forest. Normally they will be seen in small flocks. They are dependent on big trees for breeding so are vulnerable to deforestation and fires.

They use cavities in taller trees for their nests and are known to use the same cavity for several years. When ready for egg-laying the female will go into the cavity and seal most of the entrance hole with her droppings. She then relies on the male to bring her food. Most often females lay 3 or 4 eggs which she incubates for up to 4 weeks, while the male continues to supply food for her and the chicks. The female leaves the nest after about 4 weeks and the chicks seal the entrance up again. They remain there for another 3 to 4 weeks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	427	Protockus suahelicus suahelicus
2nd	427	Lophoceros alboterminatus
3rd	427	Tockus alboterminatus
4th	427	Tockus alboterminatus
5th	460	Tockus alboterminatus
6th	460	Tockus alboterminatus
7th	74	Lophoceros alboterminatus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	427	Crowned Hornbill
2nd	427	Crowned Hornbill
3rd	427	Crowned Hornbill
4th	427	Crowned Hornbill
5th	460	Crowned Hornbill
6th	460	Crowned Hornbill
7th	74	Crowned Hornbill

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	427	Gekroonde Neushoringvoël
2nd	427	Gekroonde Neushoringvoël
3rd	427	Gekroonde Neushoringvoël
4th	427	Gekroonde Neushoringvoël
5th	460	Gekroonde Neushoringvoël
6th	460	Gekroonde Neushoringvoël
7th	74	Gekroonde Neushoringvoël

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 130

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 174

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 142

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 268

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 258

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 396

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 400

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 306

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 42

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 227

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 291

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 258

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 258

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 184

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 130

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 44

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 78

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 154

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 138

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 104

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 170

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 184

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 104

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