The eastern dwarf hornbill is a species of hornbill in the family Bucerotidae. It is native to the Congo Basin. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the western dwarf hornbill with the English name "black dwarf hornbill".
Region
Central Africa
Typical Environment
Inhabits lowland and foothill tropical rainforests across the eastern Congo Basin, extending into adjacent forest blocks. Prefers primary forest but also uses mature secondary growth, swamp-forest edges, and forest clearings with fruiting trees. Typically forages in the understory to mid-canopy, moving quietly through dense foliage. Avoids open savanna and heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The eastern dwarf hornbill, also called Grant’s dwarf hornbill, is a small forest hornbill of the Congo Basin. Like other hornbills, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity during nesting, leaving a narrow slit for the male to pass food. It often joins mixed-species flocks and may follow army ants to snatch insects flushed from the leaf litter.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense forest
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family parties, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. Forms monogamous pairs; nests in natural tree cavities. The female is sealed inside the cavity during incubation and early chick-rearing while the male delivers food. After the chicks grow, both parents may reopen and reseal the cavity.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Quiet, piping whistles and soft chuckling notes, often given in short series from within the canopy. Pairs may duet with alternating whistles. Calls are subtle and can be easily missed against forest background noise.
Plumage
Mostly smooth, glossy dark plumage with subtle contrast between body and slightly paler undertail area; tail often shows pale tips.
Diet
Takes a variety of arthropods including beetles, caterpillars, and ants, as well as small lizards when available. Also consumes fruits and berries, especially figs, which can be important seasonally. Will occasionally follow army ant swarms to capture flushed prey. Gleans from foliage and probes bark and epiphytes while moving methodically through the understory and mid-canopy.
Preferred Environment
Forages inside dense primary forest and along edges of mature secondary growth. Often visits fruiting trees in gaps, riparian corridors, and along old tracks or light wells where visibility is slightly better.
