Northern Red-billed Hornbill

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Northern Red-billed Hornbills are native to Africa. They make their home in the forest, woodland, open savanna and shrubland habitats. If you have never seen one you can imagine how they appear from the Disney animated film "The Lion King" since the bird in the film Zazu was a hornbill. These birds are one of the smaller hornbill species. The birds have been named for their long, downward curving beaks that protrude from the head. It is red with some black at the base of the lower bill. They use their bills to dig for insects. Across the head, neck, and underside are white feathers with black feathers across the wings and the tops of the tail. Their legs and feet are black. They spend their days in small groups foraging on the ground and being omnivores they eat fruit, insects, eggs, and small animals. When it is time for reproduction the females lay 3 to 5 eggs which hatch after a 23 to 25 day incubation period. During this time the females seal themselves into the tree hollow with mud, feces, and fruit. There is just one opening through which the male passes her food. After three weeks she breaks out of the nest and then reseals it since the chicks stay ther another three weeks. Once they leave the nest they can fly but will travel with their parents for six months.