Piping Hornbill
Bycanistes fistulator
A medium-sized forest hornbill frequently seen flying overhead or crossing road cuts. Distinctive in its stark pied appearance, with black head, back, forewings, and central tail feathers. In flight, has very distinctive bicolored wings. Similar to African Pied Hornbill, but Piping Hornbill has broad white flight feathers, and its smaller bill and neck give it a stouter appearance. Calls include a rapid series of cackling notes, “huhuhuhuhu,” and higher-pitched piping whistles.
Identification
The piping hornbill (Bycanistes fistulator) is a bird in the hornbill family. This black-and-white species is found in humid forest and second growth in Central and West Africa, ranging from Senegal east to Uganda and south to Angola. At about 50 cm (20 in) in length, it is the smallest member of the genus Bycanistes.
Taxonomy
Genus: Bycanistes; Family: Bucerotidae; Order: Bucerotiformes.
- Scientific name
- Bycanistes fistulator
- Authority
- (Cassin, 1850)
- Order
- Bucerotiformes
- Family
- Bucerotidae
- Genus
- Bycanistes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Bird Calls
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