Southern yellow-billed hornbill

Description:

That evening chase for Kori (see my previous spotting for details), gave me the opportunity to have a close look at one of these hornbills, and just great lights at sunset for a series of shots. This male was about 50 to 55 cm long, black-and-white patterned, with a long, casqued, downward curved and yellow bill. There is also a conspicuous rose-reddish blotch on its cheek.

Habitat:

Seen in Kunene region of Namibia (northwest), around Sesfontein town, in arid open acacia tree-and-shrub landscape. Very dry (but still magnificent and rich in wildlife) at the moment, following a three-year dry-spell.

Notes:

This is rather common hornbill of southern Africa, and we have seen them almost every day, but this series of clicks was exceptional for its lights.