North American lesser hornbill (SciiFii)

The North American lesser hornbill (Neotockus corvopennis), also known as the American lesser hornbill, the American red-billed hornbill, the American yellow-billed hornbill, and the American grey hornbill, is a species of hornbill that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, swamps, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across North America to help boost biodiversity, making it one of the only species of hornbill of the New World and, despite being the "lesser" of the American hornbills, is the most common hornbills of the New World. The male North American lesser hornbill has a general plumage coloration resembling those of African red-billed hornbills, specifically Tanzanian red-billed hornbills (Tockus ruahae), but its bill features a prominent casque which Tockus hornbills uniquely lack, as well as being an orange-yellow color that is much more commonly found in both southern and eastern yellow-billed hornbills (Tockus leucomelas and Tockus flavirostris, respectively). The female North American lesser hornbill, on the other hand, looks different and resembles very much like the African grey hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus), having mainly grey plumage, but the head, flight feathers and long tail are a darker shade, a white line down each side of the head and one on the back, which is visible only in flight, and the long curved bill is black and has a small casque and a creamy horizontal stripe, unlike males. The North American lesser hornbill is generally large, at 42 centimetres (17 in) long, but this species is considered one of the smaller hornbills. The calls of the North American lesser hornbill is almost identical to those made by African grey hornbills and those made by many species of Tockus (red-billed and yellow-billed) hornbills. The North American lesser hornbill is an omnivorous bird, taking and eating insects, fruit and seeds. It feeds mainly on the ground and will form flocks outside the breeding season. During incubation, the female lays three to six white eggs in a tree hole, which is blocked off with a plaster of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one narrow aperture, just big enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and the chicks. When the chicks and the female are too big for the nest, the mother breaks out and rebuilds the wall. Then both parents feed the chicks. The female red-billed hornbill protects her young against intruders by building a wall across the opening of her nest. She then seals herself in and brings up her chicks in a 'prison'. The conservation status of the North American lesser hornbill is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American lesser hornbill's wide range and its tolerance to most of the human activities, including being able to adapt to life in the cities and suburbs.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii