Jackson's hornbill is a species of hornbill in the family Bucerotidae. It is only found in North West Kenya and North East Uganda. Except for the dense white spots on the wing-coverts, it resembles, and is often considered a subspecies of, Von der Decken's hornbill.
Region
East Africa (Kenya–Uganda)
Typical Environment
Occurs locally in the semi-arid Acacia-Commiphora bushlands, thorn scrub, and open savanna of northwestern Kenya and adjacent northeastern Uganda. It uses riparian woodland and scattered trees along seasonal watercourses and grazed landscapes. The species tolerates lightly cultivated areas and village edges where large trees remain. It prefers mosaic habitats with open ground for foraging and trees for nesting cavities and perches.
Altitude Range
400–1600 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Jackson's hornbill is a small to medium hornbill restricted to northwestern Kenya and northeastern Uganda. It closely resembles Von der Decken's hornbill but shows dense white spotting on the wing-coverts. Like other hornbills, the female seals herself into a tree cavity to nest, relying on the male to feed her and the chicks through a narrow slit. It frequents dry thorn scrub and Acacia-Commiphora bushland and often forages on or near the ground.
Male, Lake Baringo, Kenya
Temperament
wary but social
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, sometimes joining loose mixed-species foraging parties. Monogamous; nests in natural tree cavities which the female seals with a mixture of mud and droppings, leaving a slit for feeding. The male provisions the female and chicks until the female breaks out and helps feed the young. Territorial around nest sites but more tolerant at feeding areas.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are a series of nasal clucks, cackles, and grating notes, often delivered in accelerating sequences. Duets between pair members are common, with the male giving louder, more rapid phrases. Wing noise may accompany short flights between perches.
Plumage
Black upperparts with dense white spotting on the wing-coverts, white underparts and vent, and white tail corners contrasting with a darker tail. Plumage otherwise very similar to Von der Decken's hornbill, with clean black-and-white patterning.
Diet
Eats a mix of large insects (beetles, grasshoppers, termites), other invertebrates, and seasonal fruits such as figs and berries. Will take small vertebrates or eggs opportunistically. Often hawks insects from low perches, probes bark and leaf litter, and picks fruit directly from branches.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the ground and in low to mid-level branches within thorn scrub, open bushland, and along edges of riparian woodland. Frequently uses paths, livestock areas, and village margins where prey is abundant and visibility is good.
