Exhibition Guide

Printed Text in “The Impact of Climate Change on Hornbills”

The text on the label for this sound station reads:

Remember the hornbill’s booming call and combat climate change to protect wildlife worldwide.

Hornbills, with their long, distinctive beaks and rhythmic calls, play a vital role in maintaining Earth’s ecosystems. They help control insect populations and disperse seeds across vast distances, aiding in forest regeneration. However, many hornbill species found in Africa, Asia, and Melanesia are vulnerable to extinction.

The southern ground hornbill, native to southern Africa, faces a high risk of extinction as climate change intensifies. This region is experiencing more extreme temperature fluctuations and severe weather events than the northern areas of the continent. These non-migratory and heat-sensitive birds are struggling to survive as temperatures reach dangerous levels—a trend researchers expect to worsen over the next 75 years. The southern ground hornbill highlights the growing threats that the climate crisis poses to countless species worldwide.

Immerse yourself in this soundscape while exploring the African headdress and mask to experience a hornbill’s journey through the savanna.

(Duration: 1 minute, 45 seconds, looped)

The images on this label include:

Image 1: A large southern ground hornbill with black feathers and a red beak walking outdoors surrounded by dirt and foliage.

Image 2: An illustration of climate change’s impact on hornbills, reading: “Declining
Birthrates”: Global warming affects eggs and chicks by reducing their growth rates, body condition, and survival rate; “Habitat Changes”: Increased extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and storms caused by climate change damage hornbill habitats; and “Food Competition”: Global warming reduces food sources, forcing hornbills to compete with other animals.

Visual Descriptions of the African Headdress and Mask

Left:
Unidentified Hausa artist

Hunter’s Bird Decoy Headdress (Burtu)
Early 20th century

Great Hornbill skull and beak, wood, leather, abrus seeds, glass, feather

Gift of Alan Wurtzburger, 1954.145.107

Right:
Unidentified Dan artist

Hornbill Mask (Ge gon)
Early 20th century
Wood, fur, plant fiber, iron, paint

Gift of Robert and Nancy Nooter, Washington, D.C., 1985.284

The object on the left is the skull of a hornbill mounted on a white, thin stand or display rod. The bird’s head is dark brown or black. It has a long, slightly curved beak with sharp, pointed tips. A dark blue or indigo-colored inlaid oval shape is visible near the top of the head.  Small, reddish-brown beads or other decorative elements are positioned along the bird’s neck. The bird’s head is affixed to a slender, rounded base.  A long, tan-colored strip of material or leather appears attached to the base, flowing downward as a strap or cord.

The object on the right is a wooden mask with a long, black fur beard. The mask is an oval shape with a carved face. The eyes are large almond-shapes carved through the mask, and the nose is long and pointed. The mouth is small and closed. The mask is carved from dark wood and has a smooth, polished finish with visible signs of wear near the forehead, eyes, and eyebrows. The fur beard is attached to the bottom of the mask and hangs downward.

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