Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill

The Eastern yellow-billed hornbill, known scientifically as Tockus flavirostris, is a captivating bird with a distinctive yellow bill. This species, also referred to as the northern yellow-billed hornbill, is a member of the Bucerotidae family, which is renowned for its unique and sizeable bill structures.

Identification Tips

When observing the Eastern yellow-billed hornbill, one should note its prominent yellow bill, which stands out against its plumage. The bird also features blackish skin around the eyes, which differentiates it from its relative, the southern yellow-billed hornbill, which has pinkish skin in the same area.

Habitat

The Eastern yellow-billed hornbill is adapted to a variety of habitats within its range, which includes several countries in the Horn of Africa.

Distribution

This species has a geographical range that spans across Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is a bird well-suited to the diverse environments found within these nations.

Similar Species

The Eastern yellow-billed hornbill is often compared to the southern yellow-billed hornbill. However, the key distinguishing feature is the color of the skin around the eyes; the Eastern species has blackish skin, while the Southern species has pinkish skin.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Eastern yellow-billed hornbill as Least Concern, indicating that currently, there are no immediate threats to its population levels that would warrant a higher degree of conservation action.