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Abyssinian Hornbill


	Abyssinian Hornbill With long eyelashes, dark eyes, and a large bill, hornbills have many admirers. Did you know their eyelashes are modified feathers? You can pick out a hornbill from other birds by the casque above its bill. This hollow or spongy structure is made of keratin. It may act as a vibrating chamber to make the hornbill's voice louder. Kathy Salerni
	Abyssinian Hornbill Abyssinian hornbills call together before dawn in a chorus of repeated low grunting notes that sounds not unlike a distant lion. They amplify their calls by inflating the big, red, balloon-like wattle below their bill.. Abyssinian hornbills are very slow breeders. A pair produces just one brood of two chicks every nine years, only one of which survives. Immature birds within the social group work as ‘helpers’, caring for the single chick. Abyssinian hornbills have lived up to 70 years in captivity. This makes them one of the world’s longest-lived birds, on par with albatrosses. Traditional African cultures saw ground hornbills as harbingers of rain. Killing them was thus taboo. Sadly, with the passing of such beliefs, these birds have become increasingly threatened. Kathy Salerni

frank w. degenhardt

They are a rare and interesting bird. That beak looks like it could do some damage. You capture the details and colors with outstanding pov and presentation. A gorgeous camera work and I also love reading the interesting information that you took time to post. Beautiful in all ways Kathy.

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September 05, 2017

robinsonphotoart.com - Jeff Robinson

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