The African grey hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is a member of the hornbill family, primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World.

This species is a widespread resident breeder across sub-Saharan Africa and southwestern parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

It has been spotted in Florida, USA, due to escapes or deliberate releases, but there is no evidence of breeding in the region; the population likely persists through ongoing escapes or releases.

Taxonomy

Historical Classification

In 1760, French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson described the African grey hornbill in his Ornithologie, naming it Le calao à bec noir du Sénégal in French and Hydrocorax Senegalensis Melanorynchos in Latin. Although Brisson introduced Latin names, they do not conform to the binomial nomenclature and are therefore not recognized by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.

In 1766, Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus included this species in the 12th edition of Systema Naturae and assigned it the binomial name Buceros nasutus, placing it within the genus Buceros.

Modern Classification

The species is now classified under the genus Lophoceros, introduced in 1833 by German naturalists Wilhelm Hemprich and Christian-Gottfried Ehrenberg. This genus was re-established in 2013 to group specific hornbill species previously placed in Tockus.

Genus Name: Derived from Ancient Greek lophos (crest) and kerōs (horn).

Species Epithet: nasutus means "large-nosed" in Latin.

Recognized Subspecies

L. n. nasutus (Linnaeus, 1766): Found from Senegal and Gambia to Ethiopia, central Kenya, and southwestern Arabia.

L. n. epirhinus (Sundevall, 1850): Distributed from southern Uganda and southern Kenya to northern South Africa.

Description

The African grey hornbill is a medium-sized bird, measuring 45–51 cm (18–20 in) in length.

Plumage

Its overall coloration is grey and brown.

The head, flight feathers, and tail are darker.

White lines are visible along the sides of the crown and back, particularly in flight.

Bill Characteristics

Males: A dark upper mandible with a creamy-yellow stripe and a prominent casque.

Females: Tricolored mandibles with red tips and a smaller casque.

Juveniles: Initially have uniformly blackish bills.

Flight

Dear Lykkers, the bird exhibits an undulating flight pattern. Its call, a distinct "pee-o pee-o pee-o," makes it highly conspicuous.

Distribution and Habitat

The African grey hornbill is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and prefers open woodlands and savannahs as its habitat.

Behaviour and Ecology

Breeding

Females lay 2–4 white eggs in tree hollows.

The nest is sealed with a cement-like material made from mud, droppings, and fruit pulp, leaving a narrow aperture for the male to pass food.

Once the chicks and the female outgrow the nest, the female breaks out, rebuilds the wall, and both parents feed the chicks.

Food and Feeding

The African grey hornbill is omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruits, and small reptiles. It forages primarily in trees.