# Von der Decken's Hornbill (*Tockus deckeni*) Von der Decken's Hornbill is a colorful bird with a big, curved bill. They live in Africa and love to eat fruits and insects. Their unique calls can be heard in the trees! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Savannas ![Von der Decken's Hornbill](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tockus_deckeni.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mara 1 from Scotland, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tockus_deckeni.jpg) ## Appearance The Von der Decken's Hornbill has a black body and white belly with a distinctive white head and neck. Males boast a bright red-orange bill with a creamy casque, while females have an all-black bill without a casque. This striking sexual dimorphism makes them visually unique. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Bucerotiformes - **Family:** Bucerotidae - **Genus:** Tockus ## Interesting facts - During nesting, the male feeds his sealed-in family through a narrow slit. - Their name honors a German explorer, Baron Karl von der Decken! - These birds use a special 'casque' on their beak, which is hollow and lightweight! - They have fused neck vertebrae to support their large, impressive beak. ## Special abilities - **Sealed Nursery:** Von der Decken's Hornbill can seal the female inside a tree cavity during nesting that helps protect eggs and chicks from predators. - **Multi-Purpose Beak:** Von der Decken's Hornbill has a large, strong bill that helps them forage for food and even dig out insects from tough places. - **Seed Spreader:** Von der Decken's Hornbill eats many wild fruits which helps them spread seeds, growing new plants across their habitat. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 35-38 cm - **Wingspan:** 45-55 cm - **Weight:** 0.165-0.25 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 24-30 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore that enjoys both tasty fruits and crunchy insects found in its dry habitat. - **Primary Foods:** insects, wild fruits, small reptiles, spiders, berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Tawny Eagle (*Aquila rapax*) — An aerial predator of hornbills and other birds. - **Eats:** Sycamore Fig (*Ficus sycomorus*) — Consumes its fruits, aiding in seed dispersal. - **Depends on:** Umbrella Thorn (*Acacia tortilis*) — Relies on these trees for nesting cavities and shelter. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Von der Decken's Hornbill? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Von der Decken's Hornbill? 35-38 cm ### What is Von der Decken's Hornbill's wingspan? 45-55 cm ### How much does Von der Decken's Hornbill weigh? 0.165-0.25 kg ### How long does Von der Decken's Hornbill live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Von der Decken's Hornbill move? 40 km/h ### What does Von der Decken's Hornbill eat? An omnivore that enjoys both tasty fruits and crunchy insects found in its dry habitat. ### Where is Von der Decken's Hornbill usually found? Savannas ## Where to spot - [Tierpark Hamm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hamm) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Von der Decken's Hornbill: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/von-der-deckens-hornbill)