Buceros bicornis
The Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is a magnificent and unmistakable avian giant, known for its striking appearance and unique nesting biology. Reaching impressive lengths of 95-120 cm (37-47 in) and weighing between 2.15-4 kg (4.7-8.8 lbs), this species sports glossy black plumage, a stark white belly and undertail coverts, and dramatic white wing patches. Its most distinctive feature is the enormous, helmet-like casque atop its bright yellow and black bill, often tinged with reddish-oran...
Primarily inhabiting dense evergreen and moist deciduous broadleaf forests, Great Hornbills thrive in tropical and subtropical regions. They are typically found from lowlands up to elevations of about 2000 meters (6,500 feet).
Primarily frugivorous, with a strong preference for figs, their diet also includes a variety of insects, small reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. They forage mainly in the forest canopy, plucking food with their large bills.
Great Hornbills are diurnal birds, often seen in pairs or small family groups, though they may gather in larger flocks at fruiting trees or communal roosts outside the breeding season. Their foraging strategy is predominantly arboreal, skillfully plucking fruits, especially figs, with their large...
The Great Hornbill is a resident species distributed across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with its range extending from the Western Ghats and northeastern states of India, through Nepal and Bhutan, to mainland Southeast Asian countries including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and...
Vulnerable
- The Great Hornbill's massive casque is actually hollow and lightweight, not solid bone. - During nesting, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity for 3-4 months, relying entirely on the male to bring her and the chicks food. - They are crucial seed dispersers for many forest trees, playin...