Silvery-cheeked Hornbill
NameSilvery-cheeked Hornbill
Common NameSilvery-cheeked Hornbill
Scientific NameBycanistes brevis
FamilyBucerotidae
Wingspan (cm)96
Length (cm)75
Weight (g)1400
Plumage DetailsGlossy black body plumage with a contrasting white lower back and rump. The outer tail feathers have white tips. The head and neck feathers are often tipped with grey, giving a 'silvery' appearance, particularly on the cheeks. It possesses a large, pale, cream-colored casque on its bill.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its loud, guttural calls, often described as roars or barks, which can carry long distances through the forest. They frequently engage in duetting calls.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in East Africa, ranging from Ethiopia and South Sudan south through Kenya and Tanzania, inhabiting montane evergreen and coastal forests.
Identifying FeaturesLarge, pale, cream-colored casque on bill, Glossy black body with white lower back/rump, White tips on outer tail feathers, Silvery-grey feathering on cheeks and neck
Description
The Silvery-cheeked Hornbill is a large, striking bird characterized by its glossy black plumage, white lower back, and a prominent pale casque atop its bill. It is primarily frugivorous, foraging in the canopy of East African forests.
