Western Dwarf Hornbill
Horizocerus hartlaubi
A small, dark forest hornbill found predominantly in primary forest subcanopy, where it prefers areas with abundant vines. This species is unique in its overall dark coloration and its broad white eyebrow that extends to the back of the head. The only similarly-sized forest hornbill in its range is the more reddish Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, but Western Dwarf Hornbill has a less well-defined border between the dark chest and white belly, and only Western Dwarf Hornbill has the broad white eyebrow behind the eye. Voice is a repetitive “yep yep yep yep” that can be repeated at length, sometimes accompanied with a howl.
Identification
It is black with a curved beak and a wide white brow above its eye.
Taxonomy
The western dwarf hornbill was formally described in 1861 by the English ornithologist John Gould based on a specimen from "Western Africa". Gould coined the binomial name Toccus hartlaubi. The specific epithet was chosen to honour of the German ornithologist Gustav Hartlaub. This species was previously assigned to the genus Tockus but is now placed in the genus Horizocerus that was introduced in 1899 by the American ornithologist Harry C. Oberholser. The western dwarf hornbill was formerly considered to be conspecific with the eastern dwarf hornbill (Horizocerus granti) with the English name "black dwarf hornbill".
- Scientific name
- Horizocerus hartlaubi
- Authority
- (Gould, 1861)
- Order
- Bucerotiformes
- Family
- Bucerotidae
- Genus
- Horizocerus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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White-necked Thrush
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Plain-breasted Ground Dove
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Small, inconspicuous dove of savannas and open grassland with scattered low bushes and palmettos; also found locally in cane fields and pastures. Usually found in pairs or small groups, sometimes associating with other ground doves. Both sexes are rather plain overall, with diagnostic purple marks on the back, although the color is often hard to see. The female can be easily confused with the much commoner Ruddy Ground Dove, which also has a plain breast, but the Ruddy Ground Dove is larger and warmer brown overall; also note vocal differences.
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