Great Hornbill

Great Hornbill

Kaeng Krachen, Thailand

The great hornbill is found on the Indian subcontinent , mainland Southeast Asia and Sumatra. Deforestation has decreased its range and it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Habitat

A true arboreal species, it is dependent on large stretches of natural rain forest in order to thrive.

Feeding

The great hornbill is mainly a frugivore but will also prey on reptiles, birds and small mammals. Great hornbills will forage in small groups. Figs are an important food item.They are important dispersers of many forest tree species.

Breeding

Great hornbills prefer to nest in very large, tall trees, particularly emergents that rise above the canopy. The monogamous parents live in small groups of 2 to 40 individuals.  The female  builds the nest in the hollow of a large tree trunk and seals herself in with a cement consiting mainly of of fecal matter. She incubates one or two eggs, for 38–40 days witht he male feeding her through a slit in the seal. She remains imprisoned and reliant on the male until the chicks are half grown. The female and the chicks void faeces through the nest slit. During this period the female undergoes a complete moult. Once the female emerges from the nest, the chicks seal it again.

Wildfile Specials
  • The great hornbill is one of the largest members of the hornbill family.
  • Their wing beats are heavy, and the sound has been compared to the puffing of a steam locomotive starting up.
  • The great hornbill obtains water entirely from its diet of fruits.
  • As with other members of the hornbill family, the huge casque of the great hornbill is hollow and may  tranfer heat to keep the hornbill cool. 
  • Male great hornbills indulge in aerial casque butting, with birds striking each other in flight.
  • The male spreads a yellow preen gland secretion onto the primary feathers and bill to give them their bright yellow colour.
  • Females may select their mate on the size and colour of their casque.
  • In Kerala, the great hornbill is the offical state bird.
  • Tribal peoples hunt the great hornbill. The beak and head are used in charms and the flesh is considererd medicinal. Young birds are a sought after delicacy.  In northeastern India the the feathers are used for head-dresses.
  • The great hornbill is called "homrai" in Nepal and "banrao" in the Indian state of Utteranchal, both meaning "King of the Jungle".