Description:

The grey-head carrion hornbill (Carnoceros canocapitus) is a large species of scavenging hornbill. They are one of the major scavengers of the Congo Savannah and play a crucial role in the health of the savanna. They replaced the Old World vultures (Aegypiinae) that were alive during the Holocene. The old world vultures went extinct due to several factors, such as lead poisoning from bullets, electrocution from power lines, illegal killing, and many other factors. These hornbills are between 80 to 100 centimeters from head to tail and weigh 6 to 9 kilograms. These hornbills also have a wingspan that measures 2.2 to 2.6 meters when fully stretched out. They have a long dark grey beak with a light yellow stripe near the base of the jaw. There is also a crest on top of the beak. They have a grey head with small fuzzy feathers that run along the top of the head. These heads allow them to dig into a corpse and stay relatively clean. They have a coat of light-brown body feathers and dark-brown tail and primary feathers. These vultures are also vocal creatures, making low grunts, growls, and hisses to communicate with other species members. They have a lifespan of 40 years in the wild. In capacity, however, they can live up to 80 years with proper care.

Distribution:

These birds are found all over the African continent. Mostly, they are found in open grassland and wooded savanna but are also sparsely found in semi-desert and open woodland.

Diet And Feeding:

Their primary diet consists entirely of carrion of megafauna. These birds will also feast small rodents and lagomorphs. They prefer fresh carcasses but have no problems eating older or rotting meat. The carrion hornbill group can consume several bacteria species that are dangerous to humans, such as botulism and the bubonic plague-like bacteria. This immunity is due to their strong stomach acid that destroys hazardous pathogens and antibodies for diseases. As previously stated, the carrion hornbills play a critical role in the health of the grasslands. They clean up carcasses and remove toxic pathogens from the ecosystem. This clean-up process prevents other animals from getting sick and diseases to spread through a population.

Social Behavior:

This species of carrion hornbill is a highly social creature. They live in groups of up to 50 hornbills, but these large numbers are rare. These hornbills often communally nest in acacia trees. Most hornbills give birth to two chicks, so it is for the defense of chicks for them to nest together. However, one chick usually dies due to predation or being bullied by their sibling. When scavenging, they often move as a group and fly above the savannah, looking for food. Once a hornbill has located a carcass, the hornbill will call out to their pack, and they will begin to feast on the carcass. These feeding events can be chaotic, with hornbills often fighting over scrap. These fights aren't necessarily violent but are loud and pull the dead flesh apart.