Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure
Trumpeter Hornbill
Afrikaans name: Gewone Boskraai
Photo © Steven Herbert
Bycanistes bucinator
Trumpeter Hornbills are medium sized birds with a big voice. Their loud calls often sound like crying babies.
They are normally found in smallish flocks and can normally be seen in the tops of trees or flying overhead.
In South Africa they are found from around Port Elizabeth and up the east coast through to Limpopo.
Trumpeter Hornbills like areas of low-lying forest, preferably near water.
They feed mainly on fruit and will often remain in the same tree for long periods of time if it is well stocked with fruit. They will also take small insects and have been known to raid the nests of other birds, stealing their eggs and chicks.
A natural hole in a tree is the Trumpeter Hornbills first choice for nesting. The female is sealed inside the cavity leaving just a small slit exposed to the outside world. She will remain inside here for 3 months! The male collects food and feeds the female and chicks through the slit. Between 2 and 4 eggs are laid.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 422 | Bycanistes bucinator |
| 2nd | 422 | Bycanistes bucinator |
| 3rd | 422 | Bycanistes bucinator |
| 4th | 422 | Bycanistes bucinator |
| 5th | 455 | Bycanistes bucinator |
| 6th | 455 | Bycanistes bucinator |
| 7th | 77 | Bycanistes bucinator |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 422 | Trumpeter Hornbill |
| 2nd | 422 | Trumpeter Hornbill |
| 3rd | 422 | Trumpeter Hornbill |
| 4th | 422 | Trumpeter Hornbill |
| 5th | 455 | Trumpeter Hornbill |
| 6th | 455 | Trumpeter Hornbill |
| 7th | 77 | Trumpeter Hornbill |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 422 | Groot-neushoringvoel |
| 2nd | 422 | Boskraai |
| 3rd | 422 | Boskraai |
| 4th | 422 | Boskraai |
| 5th | 455 | Gewone Boskraai |
| 6th | 455 | Gewone Boskraai |
| 7th | 77 | Gewone Boskraai |
References and further reading
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 173Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 130
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 25
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 266
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: 392
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 395
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 286
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 301
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 225
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 260
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 44
KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 171
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 260
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 411
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 130
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 184
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 71
Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 119
Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 50
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 152
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 45
Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 2 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 10
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 78
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 296
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 140
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 97
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 168
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 105
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 105
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 184
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