One of the most widespread and adaptable hornbills in sub-Saharan Africa, easily recognized by its slim profile, long tail, and distinctive gray plumage. Unlike some of its flashier, more brightly colored relatives, the African grey hornbill favors a sleek, understated look. It thrives in a variety of habitats, from dry woodlands and savannas to open forests and even urban gardens, making it one of the most commonly seen hornbills across Africa.
The African grey hornbill has a graceful, slender body and a prominent curved bill that is dark gray to black with a lighter base. Males are easily recognized by a small casque — a raised ridge on the top of their bill — while females have a smaller or flatter casque. The plumage is predominantly gray on the head, back, and wings, with a paler belly and white markings on the outer tail feathers. Its sharp, intelligent eyes and easy, fluid movements give it an alert, lively presence.
African grey hornbills are omnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of foods depending on what’s available. Their diet includes insects, small reptiles, spiders, seeds, and fruits. They are excellent foragers and are often seen swooping between trees, plucking fruits, or picking insects off the ground. During the dry season, when insects are harder to find, they rely more heavily on fruit, helping to disperse seeds and thus playing a vital ecological role.
One of the most interesting aspects of their behavior is their breeding strategy, which is typical of hornbills. During nesting, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity using a wall made of mud, droppings, and fruit pulp, leaving only a small slit through which the male passes food. She remains sealed inside throughout incubation and early chick-rearing, relying entirely on her mate for food until the chicks are strong enough to survive outside.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Egypt
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
