Unusual Casqued Hornbill in The Gambia (1 Viewer)

[Andy Merrweather]

During a recent trip to The Gambia, the group saw a large unusual Hornbill in the gardens of the Senegambia hotel (5th Nov 2022), At the time this was identified as a Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill, but on returning home and looking at my (admittedly somewhat obscured) photos, there seems to be blue colour around the eye, and a lack of obvious white on the primaries. This might suggest a Yellow-casqued Hornbill, but the casque shape also seemed a little unusual for this species. Any help in confirming the identification much appreciated. Andy

 

[THE_FERN]

Maybe black-casqued hornbill

 

[Andy Merrweather]

Thanks - makes perfect sense - not in the guide book I had, but I understand from others that there has been a Black-casqued Hornbill in The Gambia for some years now.

 

[GlynH]

There’s a Black-casqued Hornbill frequenting the Calypso bar gardens.
Banjul.
It’s seen most days by the car park.
Although it’s very easily spooked.
I saw it yesterday on two occasions.

 

[andrew smart]

I went to Calypso bar to see the Hornbill. It is a Yellow Casqued Wattled Hornbill, as illustrated in Clive Barlow book of Birds of The Gambia and Senegal.

 

[andrew smart]

Here are a couple of shots of the bird at Calypso bar. I would say its a released bird from captivity.