Bonanza Bird #4: Trumpeter Hornbill

Our Birdorable Bonanza 2012 continues today with the Trumpeter Hornbill.

Trumpeter Hornbill

The Trumpeter Hornbill has the honor of being the first hornbill species to be added to Birdorable. These gregarious birds are found in southern parts of Africa. Trumpeter Hornbills are named for their baby-like crying vocalization, which is trumpeted out at a very loud volume. Here's what it sounds like:

Trumpeter Hornbill (Ceratogymna bucinator)
Trumpeter Hornbill by Ian n. White

All hornbill species have a very unusual nesting practice. They use natural tree cavities, but they make an interesting modification. Prior to incubation, the entrance to the cavity is sealed by a wall constructed by the female, who may or may not be assisted by her mate. It is sealed so tightly that she is unable to leave the cavity! During the incubation period, she receives all food from her mate through a narrow slit in the wall. When the chicks hatch, the whole family continues to be fed through the slit with food provided by the male. When the babies grow too large for all to remain comfortably inside the cavity, the mother hornbill breaks out -- but still the chicks remain inside! The broken cavity wall is repaired and they continue to grow, now receiving food delivered by both adults.

Sample Trumpeter Hornbill t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird is just a little thing that wears a crown of gold. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

Comments

Laurakeet on July 13, 2012 at 9:35 AM wrote:
Gold crowned kinglet!
Elinor (Ashira) on July 13, 2012 at 9:51 AM wrote:
I had no idea you were doing another Bonanza! : D Tomorrow's bird must be a Golden-Crowned Kinglet. Or a Goldcrest, I suppose!
Laurakeet on July 13, 2012 at 10:18 AM wrote:
I can't believe it wasn't a great hornbill.
Tough Titmouse on July 13, 2012 at 11:19 AM wrote:
I feel bad for you, Laurakeet.. I was thinking the same thing... I sure hope they make one for you this year!!! Go birdies Go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laurakeet on July 13, 2012 at 4:39 PM wrote:
Yay!
Gustavo Carvalho on July 29, 2012 at 9:53 PM wrote:
with great hornbill U guys mean the great pied hornbill?!?if it is,i love this bird also!
Louise Warner on February 17, 2017 at 4:45 PM wrote:
golden crowned kinglet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spurwing Plover on May 21, 2022 at 7:02 AM wrote:
Tooooot Toooooooooot Tooooooooooooot

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Introducing the Birdorable King Penguin: Nature's Royalty in Black and White

Today’s new Birdorable is our third “king” before Christmas. Here is our cute cartoon King Penguin! The King Penguin is a very large species of penguin, smaller only than the Emperor Penguin. Adult birds can be recognized by their black and white body...

Baby Birdorable: Barn Swallow

If you think our Birdorable birds are cute as adults, what about when they are babies? Below are some baby photos (shared via Flickr Creative Commons) of the Barn Swallow. Barn Swallows build a nest of mud, often on a man-made structure. Both the male and female...

10 Red-winged Blackbird Facts

Red-winged Blackbirds range across much of North America, from parts of Alaska and the Northwest Territories of Canada, down through Mexico and into parts of Central America. Though a good portion of the population remains resident year-round, throughout northern parts of their range, they...

Kingfisher Week Fun: Coloring Pages

This week, we’re celebrating the world’s kingfishers! There are about 90 species of kingfisher in the world. These darling birds are often colorful, and they can be found all around the world. Join us as we highlight kingfishers on the Birdorable blog this week! Today we're sharing...