Our African grey hornbill’s, currently named Mr and Mrs, are a fantastic species to join the park in 2023. With under 10 in the UK collections, our pair are very important. They are both very vocal and can often be heard calling their high pitch shrills across the park. They love insects and if you manage to see them at feeding time, check out how well they can catch!

African grey hornbill is widespread over much of sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers open woodland and savannah.

The African grey hornbill is omnivorous, taking insects, fruit and reptiles. It feeds mainly in trees.

The female lays two to four white eggs in a tree hollow, which is blocked off during incubation with a cement made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one narrow aperture, just large enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and the chicks.

• In spite of it’s top heavy appearance the beak of the grey hornbill is made up of a light skin of keratin overlying a bony support. The beak has lots tiny holes that are air chambers, resulting in the beak being incredibly light. The large bill may be the reason why hornbills have the first two neck vertebrae fused together.
• Nesting African grey hornbills are monogamous.