Western Red-billed Hornbill

Overview

The western red-billed hornbill (Tockus kempi) is a small species of hornbill within the family Bucerotidae. It is one of five species in the complex that were historically considered conspecific under the name Tockus erythrorhynchus.

Identification

• Features a curved red beak that is brighter on the upper mandible and more orange on the lower, ending in dark orange tips.
• Possesses a greyish white head with black feathers along the back of the head and neck, contrasted by white facial plumage and large dark grey eye rings.
• Displays wings with distinct patterns of large and small white circles surrounded by black feathers on the exterior, with white upper and black lower interior halves.
• Has long tail feathers that are black on the exterior and greyish white on the interior.

Habitat

Found from Senegal and Gambia to southern Mauritania and western Mali.

Did you know?

The species was split from the former Tockus erythrorhynchus complex, with some authorities still categorizing the group as Tockus erythrorhynchus with the remaining four as its subspecies.