Is this a juvenile raven or something?

[AJI]

This 'thing' came and perched on our garden fence earlier this evening.
Not sure what it is. Any ideas?




(We live in the countryside in Cumbria near Penrith by the way - if that helps the identification)

[Gnits]

Definitely not a Raven.
I am going with juvenile Hornbill of some sort!

[tenex]

Gnits said:

Definitely not a Raven.
I am going with juvenile Hornbill of some sort!

Never seen anything like it. Not native IMO.
Gnits could be right.

[Japveesix]

Interesting, looks like an African grey hornbill to me (though not 100%) although it is a tad scruffy and possibly a young bird.

[SC7]

Kill it with fire!!!

[AJI]

Blimey.
So not something of a common sight in this part of the world then?

[tenex]

It has probably escaped from someone's aviary.

[dudleybloke]

SC7 said:

Kill it with fire!!!

then eat it!

[SmokinV8]

defo a hornbill, contact local bird clubs to see if they have member thats lost it and contact vets incase owner has reported it missing, any chance of catching it? if you do then feed it chopped up day old chicks,raw mince, chopped fruit

[Japveesix]

Seems it's been spotted by someone else as well:



Picture was posted on a big bird forum by another Cumbrian.

It's thought to be an adult female African grey hornbill, Tockus nasutus, and almost certainly an escapee from a private collection.

[AJI]

Wow, looks like it is doing its travels.
Is the location within Cumbria given on this 2nd sighting?

I'm gussing with it being a rare bird and not native to this country then many sighting will be reported. We could track its progress around the county.

The bird was very tame to be honest. It did try to get in through our house window even though there were three of us watching it from only a few meters away.
I'm guessing it must be used to dry weather and with it having rained heavily in the county for the past number of days it could well be looking for shelter.

[Gnits]

Do I get a prize?