Southern Yellow-billed-Hornbill

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas) is one of about 10 Hornbill species that can be found in South and Southern Africa.  The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill is along with the Red-billed Hornbill the most common of the Hornbill species in South Africa.

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill is found mainly in broad leaf woodland which in South Africa is in mainly in the far north east of the country. The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill is a medium sized bird around about 50-60cm (18-24in) in length and feeds on the ground catching spiders,insects, scorpions and seeds.

The female Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill nests in a suitable hole or hollow in a tree which is sealed up by the male with as small gap from which he feeds her through. The female Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill also looses all her feathers while sealed in her nest hollow. Therefore if something should happen to the male Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill the female would not only starve also possibly her chicks, but she would also not be able to  get out and fly away or feed herself.

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas)