While Uganda’s forests host the spectacular casqued hornbill species, the drier savannahs and woodlands of the country are home to the African grey hornbill — a smaller, more modestly coloured but highly characterful species. Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, it is one of the most commonly encountered hornbills on any Uganda safari and is present throughout the national parks and wildlife reserves of the north and east.
The African grey hornbill lacks the dramatic casque of its forest relatives but compensates with a bold personality and a distinctive two-tone bill. Its constant calling — a plaintive, descending whistle — is part of the soundtrack of Uganda’s savannah and dry woodland areas in 2027.
Identification
The African grey hornbill is a medium-sized hornbill reaching about 45 centimetres. The plumage is grey-brown on the back and wings with white streaking. The underparts are white with grey-brown streaking on the breast. A white supercilium is prominent. The bill is large and curved, cream-coloured in females and dark with a cream base in males. Males lack a casque; females have a small red tip to the upper mandible.
In flight a broad white stripe down the back is conspicuous. The tail is long and graduated with white outer tips. The species is separated from other grey or brown hornbills by the combination of size, bill colour, and habitat. The flight is undulating with alternating flaps and glides, typical of hornbills.
Habitat and Distribution in Uganda
The African grey hornbill is found in woodland savannah, bushland, and dry forest throughout northern and eastern Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park are the best locations in Uganda for this species. It is absent from the wetter western forests and less common in the central and southern regions.
The species favours open woodland with large trees for nesting and foraging. It is often seen in pairs or small family groups. Unlike forest hornbills it is relatively easy to observe as it forages at all levels from the ground to the forest canopy. It adapts well to disturbed and cultivated areas with remaining trees.
Diet and Foraging
The African grey hornbill has a varied diet including insects, small lizards, fruits, and seeds. It forages at all levels — on the ground, in shrubs, and in the canopy of large trees. Termites and other insects are important during the dry season when fruit is scarce. The curved bill is used to probe bark crevices and turn over leaves and debris on the forest floor.
Like other hornbills it is attracted to fruiting trees and can gather in small flocks when fruit is abundant. It also follows army ant swarms to catch insects disturbed by the ants. The species is an important seed disperser in savannah woodland ecosystems, passing seeds of many tree species through its digestive system.
Nesting Behaviour
The African grey hornbill uses the same sealed-cavity nesting system as other hornbills. The female seals herself inside a tree cavity, leaving a narrow slit through which the male passes food. She remains inside during incubation and early chick-rearing. The clutch is two to four white eggs incubated for about 25 days. Chicks fledge at approximately 45 days.
Suitable nesting cavities in large trees are a limiting factor for this species in areas where old trees have been removed. The species will also use nest boxes where provided, and local conservation programmes in some areas have installed artificial cavities to supplement natural nesting sites.
Behaviour and Calls
The African grey hornbill is a vocal species. The characteristic call is a plaintive, descending whistle — “pee-o, pee-o, pee-o” — that carries well through open woodland. It also produces various chattering calls at the nest and in social interactions. The species is often located by call before it is seen.
Pairs maintain contact calls throughout the day. At dusk birds gather at roost trees, often in groups. The combination of their calls and the repeated undulating flights between trees makes them conspicuous in the early morning and late afternoon when they are most active.
Photography Tips
The African grey hornbill is an accessible photographic subject due to its relatively bold behaviour and open habitat. The white supercilium and bill detail are the key identification features to capture clearly. Look for birds foraging on the ground after rain when they are most approachable. The grey and white plumage photographs best in overcast light when harsh shadows are eliminated.
See It in Murchison Falls or Kidepo in 2027
The gorilla trekking permit costs $800 in 2027. After trekking gorillas at Bwindi, consider extending your safari to Murchison Falls or Kidepo Valley to add savannah species like the African grey hornbill to your Uganda bird list. These northern parks offer a completely different ecosystem and bird community from the western forests. Contact us to plan your 2027 itinerary.
