The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Afrikaans name: Geelbek-neushoringvoël
A Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill eating leftover tomato at a picnic site in Kruger National Park
Photo © Steven Herbert
Tockus leucomelas
Any visitor to a bushveld game reserve like Kruger National Park will be familiar with the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill. They are common in camps and picnic sites and are always looking for a bit of leftover food.
The yellow bill of this species is distinctive making it easy to identify.
Males and females look similar but the casque on the bill of the female is smaller.
The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill nests in holes in trees where up to 4 eggs may be laid. The female incubates the eggs for around 25 days.
Besides being on the lookout for leftover human food they eat insects, spiders, scorpions and seeds.
Their preferred habitats are woodland and dry thornveld.
Photo © Steven Herbert
Above and below - The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill is not shy around humans - especially when there is the prospect of food around. In Kruger National Park they are common around picnic and camp sites.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Wild Issue 38 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 73Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 130
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 143
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 174
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 174
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 266
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 260
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 399
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 395
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 303
Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 8
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 290
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 258
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 71
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 258
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 186
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 153
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 130
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 44
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 170
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 138
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 105
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 98
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 105
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 184