The photo unexpectedly triggers a heated and quite funny debate among the rangers. A pretty common photo of a well-known and frequently seen bird at Madikwe Game Reserve. This is clearly a hornbill, and because of the red beak a so-called "Red-billed hornbill". But is it really like that? Join the debate!
Willem, the youngest member of Rhulani's ranger team, surprises after extensive research by stating that only the "Grey Hornbill" and the "Yellow-billed Hornbill" occur in Madikwe, but not the "Red-billed hornbill".
Looking at the photo, Willem says that this is a juvenile Yellow-billed Hornbill. And these young birds have - oh dear! - a red beak, which changes to a yellow beak as it grows.
Aha, we have all learned something new.... But what do the others think?
Ralf, the older ranger colleague, looks at the photo and says: Willem is fundamentally right with his theory. And yet, clearly, the photo shows a Red-billed Hornbill.
So let's ask Sean, who has been working at Madikwe Reserve for eight years and has a lot of experience. He says: "There are actually Red-billed Honbills in Madikwe. However, these are very rarely seen. But Willem is right. This photo shows a young Yellow-billed hornbill. If it were a red-billed hornbill, the beak would have to be as red as a strawberry. But here it's more orange."
Finally, the very experienced Dean looks at the photo, for quite a while. Then he says with a calm voice: “It's a Red-billed Hornbill”.
Funny... The Ranger debate is 2-2. We look forward to more comments!
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