Southern Red-billed Hornbill
Tockus rufirostris
The Southern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus rufirostris) is a uncommon hornbill found in 11 countries. The southern red-billed hornbill is a species of hornbill in the family Bucerotidae, which is native to the savannas and dryer bushlands of southern Africa.
About the Southern Red-billed Hornbill
The southern red-billed hornbill is a species of hornbill in the family Bucerotidae, which is native to the savannas and dryer bushlands of southern Africa. It is replaced by a near-relative, the Damara red-billed hornbill, in the arid woodlands of western Namibia. All five red-billed hornbills were formerly considered conspecific.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The sexes are similar, but males are larger and heavier. Males also have somewhat longer bills, with the lower mandible coloured black to a variable extent. It is distinguishable from other red-billed hornbills by the combination of yellow iris and pale orbital skin (pink to greyish), and the ample blackish plumage streaking from the ear coverts to the side of the neck. The throat is white, and the wing coverts clearly spotted.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Southern Red-billed Hornbill can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Southern Red-billed Hornbill on live cams
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Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Southern Red-billed Hornbill?
- The sexes are similar, but males are larger and heavier. Full identification notes are on this page.
- Where can you see a Southern Red-billed Hornbill?
- The Southern Red-billed Hornbill occurs in 11 countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
- What birds look similar to a Southern Red-billed Hornbill?
- The Southern Red-billed Hornbill is most easily confused with the Northern Red-billed Hornbill, the Von der Decken's Hornbill and the Western Red-billed Hornbill.
Learn the Southern Red-billed Hornbill for real
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