Coraciiformes Taxon Advisory Group -
Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus)
SSP Manager: Maureen Cleary - Sacramento Zoo
General Information
Description
Status
Range
Habitat
Prefers
open savannah, woodlands, and thorny scrub, especially trees such as Acacia
and Combretum. Range may be extended into more arid and mountainous
areas by certain subspecies. Elevations have been recorded to 2100 meters
in northern Ethiopia. The overall territory size is estimated at 10ha,
with an estimated 50 ha/pair.
Vocalizations
Reproduction
Diet
Almost all
of the food is obtained on the ground and consists primarily of insects,
especially beetles and their larvae. Grasshoppers, termites, ants, crickets,
scorpions, centipedes, and fly larvae are also consumed. Small vertebrates
such as geckos, scavenged dead rodents, and chicks from nests are also
included in the diet. A small amount of fruit is consumed during the summer
months.
