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The silvery-cheeked hornbill is a large species of hornbill found in Africa. Silvery-cheeked hornbills are residents of the tall evergreen forests of East Africa from Ethiopia to South Africa. In Zimbabwe it is threatened by habitat destruction and its presence in South Africa is marginal, but it remains locally fairly common, especially in the northern and central parts of its range.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
It measures 75 to 80 centimetres (30 to 31 in) in length, and has a very large cream-colored casque on the beak. The head is silver-grey and the rest of the plumage is iridescent black, except for the white rump, lower back, thighs, vent and tip of the outer tail-feathers. The sexes are similar except the female has a smaller casque and reddish skin around the eyes.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Silvery-cheeked Hornbill sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in South Africa.
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Piping HornbillBycanistes fistulatorThe piping hornbill is a bird in the hornbill family.
White-thighed HornbillBycanistes albotibialisThe white-thighed hornbill is a species of hornbill.
Learn the Silvery-cheeked Hornbill for real
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