Noisy flocks of Trumpeter (affectionately referred to as 'Zululand alarm clocks') are resident in the forests and gardens surrounding St Lucia.
They are particularly fond of fruiting fig trees such as the Large-leaved fig (Ficus lutea) and Sycamore fig (Ficus sycamorus). These fruiting trees often attract other frugivorous birds such as Livingstone’s turaco, White-eared barbet, Black-bellied starling and Purple-crested turaco as well as Vervet and Samango monkeys. There is often plenty of jostling for the best fruits with Trumpeter hornbills chasing off smaller birds and in turn being chased by monkeys.
Members of the flocks form close social bonds with other members of the group and can often be seen allogrooming.
They are particularly fond of fruiting fig trees such as the Large-leaved fig (Ficus lutea) and Sycamore fig (Ficus sycamorus). These fruiting trees often attract other frugivorous birds such as Livingstone’s turaco, White-eared barbet, Black-bellied starling and Purple-crested turaco as well as Vervet and Samango monkeys. There is often plenty of jostling for the best fruits with Trumpeter hornbills chasing off smaller birds and in turn being chased by monkeys.
Members of the flocks form close social bonds with other members of the group and can often be seen allogrooming.
They keep in contact with their loud whining calls which resemble a crying baby produced by the casque on their bill.
They nest in classic hornbill fashion in a tree cavity - the female encased inside after narrowing the entrance with clay/mud- only leaving a small opening for the male to feed the female whilst she incubates eggs and moults her feathers.