
Trumpeter Hornbill
The trumpeter hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator) is a medium-sized hornbill, with length between 58 and 65 cm (23 and 26 in), characterized by a large grey casque on the bill, smaller in females.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 1,118 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Trumpeter Hornbill is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,120 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Trumpeter Hornbill
Stays that give back
Across the Eastern Cape
Trumpeter Hornbill recorded here
Trumpeter Hornbill recorded here
Trumpeter Hornbill recorded here
Trumpeter Hornbill recorded here
Trumpeter Hornbill recorded here
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Forests, lagoons, and Knysna's sheltered bay
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Trumpeter Hornbill
Hosts have recorded the Trumpeter Hornbill at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Bycanistes bucinator
Records
1,120
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Trumpeter Hornbill on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Trumpeter Hornbill in Eastern Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Trumpeter Hornbill at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Trumpeter Hornbill in South Africa?
The Trumpeter Hornbill is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (70% of records), Mpumalanga (14% of records), Eastern Cape (9% of records), based on 1,120 iNaturalist observations. 5 places to stay on Spekboom in Eastern Cape have recorded the Trumpeter Hornbill on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Trumpeter Hornbill?
The Trumpeter Hornbill is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Addo Elephant National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Trumpeter Hornbill?
The trumpeter hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator) is a medium-sized hornbill, with length between 58 and 65 cm (23 and 26 in), characterized by a large grey casque on the bill, smaller in females. The eyes are brown or red, with pink surrounding skin. Body mass is between 0.45 and 1 kg (0.99 and 2.20 lb). It is similar to silvery-cheeked hornbill.

























