Aceros nipalensis
The Rufous-necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis) is a magnificent, large forest bird instantly recognizable by its striking plumage and prominent casque. Males sport a rich rufous coloration on their neck, head, and underparts, contrasting sharply with their glossy black back and wings, and a white tail with a broad black base. Females are entirely black except for the same distinctive tail pattern, and often exhibit a smaller, darker bill and casque. Both sexes feature bare facial skin, typica...
This hornbill primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist broadleaf forests, including evergreen and mixed deciduous types, often found in hilly and mountainous terrain. It typically occurs at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,000 meters, though sightings can extend from 150 to 2,500 meters.
The diet of the Rufous-necked Hornbill is predominantly frugivorous, with figs constituting a significant portion. They also supplement their diet with various insects, small reptiles, and occasionally the eggs or nestlings of other birds.
Rufous-necked Hornbills are diurnal, active from dawn to dusk, foraging and engaging in social activities before roosting communally in large canopy trees. Their foraging strategy is predominantly arboreal, plucking fruits directly from branches, but they also glean insects and small vertebrates ...
The Rufous-necked Hornbill is a resident species distributed across the southeastern Himalayan foothills and Southeast Asia. Its primary breeding range extends from Northeast India (particularly Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram) and Bhutan, eastward through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vi...
Vulnerable
- The female Rufous-necked Hornbill seals herself inside a tree cavity for several months during nesting, relying entirely on the male to provide food through a narrow slit. - This sealing behavior is a unique adaptation among birds, protecting the female and chicks from predators. - They are vit...