Monteiro's Hornbill
Tockus monteiri
Brown hornbill with a white belly and a yellow-and-orange bill. The white outer tail feathers and wing patches are conspicuous in flight. Found in arid savanna. Usually solitary or in pairs; sometimes in small flocks. Call is a series of clucking notes that accelerates and becomes louder. Fairly similar to Bradfield’s Hornbill, but has white in the wings, much more white in the tail, and a yellow base to the bill.
Identification
It is a medium-sized bird, 54–58 cm (21–23 in) in length. With a body mass of 210 to 400 g (7.4 to 14.1 oz), it appears to be the largest hornbill of the relatively diminutive Tockus genus. The species is characterized by a white belly, black back, with white spots on the wings and white secondary flight feathers. The outer feathers of the long tail are also white. Females are smaller than males and can be recognized by their turquoise facial skin. The eyes are black and the beak is red.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tockus monteiri
- Authority
- Hartlaub, 1865
- Order
- Bucerotiformes
- Family
- Bucerotidae
- Genus
- Tockus
Range and habitat
Its habitat is the savannah and dry thornveldt of northwestern Namibia and southwestern Angola.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Channel-billed Toucan
Ramphastos vitellinus
Large toucan, widespread across South American lowlands. Mostly black with a dark bill (although some populations have a yellow ridge on top of the bill). Significant plumage variation across range: throat color varies from white to orange; bare skin around eye varies from blue to red. In the western part of its range, appearance is very similar to White-throated Toucan, but note voice: a grating croak, not a clear yelp. Singles, pairs, or small flocks are found in the forest canopy, often around fruiting trees. Named for the groove along the upper part of the bill, which is difficult to see in the field.
Nilgiri Sholakili
Sholicola major
Dumpy little bird, slaty-blue with a tan belly. Highly restricted and scattered range in the Nilgiri Hills, where it is found at 900-2100 meters of elevation in sholas (patches of stunted montane forest separated by open grassy areas). Shy and retiring, foraging primarily on the ground and in dense undergrowth. Song is surprisingly long-winded for such a small bird and is composed of high warbling notes and buzzy whistles.
Double-collared Seedeater
Sporophila caerulescens
Very small finchlike bird of forest edges, shrubby areas, and agricultural areas. Males have a white mustache and collar along with a black chin and chest band giving the impression of a double collar. Note the male’s yellow bill. Gray above and white below. Females are plain brown with a bicolored bill.
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