Congo Pied Hornbill

Overview

The Congo pied hornbill (Lophoceros fasciatus) is a member of the hornbill family native to the Congo Basin. It is a large, conspicuous bird that inhabits mainly forest environments.

Identification

• Length of 54 cm with undulating flight.
• Black plumage with a white belly and tail tip.
• Long, curved black and yellow bill featuring a medium-sized casque.
• Female possesses a smaller casque; immature birds are duller and lack a casque.
• Vocalises with a whistling pii-pii-pii-pii call.

Habitat

Native to the Congo Basin, this species prefers mainly forest habitats. It is found in the Old World tropical regions.

Diet

An omnivore, it consumes fruit and insects. It forages primarily in trees and is notably attracted to oil palms.

Did you know?

During incubation, the female seals herself inside the tree-hole nest, leaving only a narrow aperture for the male to pass food through. When the chicks grow too large to fit, the mother breaks through and rebuilds the mud and droppings wall.