Oriental Pied-Hornbill Bird Details
Anthracoceros albirostris
Oriental Pied-Hornbill,Sunda pied hornbill, Malaysian pied hornbill, White-Crowned Hornbill;
Dhanesh
George Kearsley Shaw, 1808
Bucerotiformes (HOOPOES and HORNBILLS)
Bucerotidae
Anthracoceros
India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and parts of West Bengal), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern China.
Appearance :
The Oriental Pied-Hornbill has a black body with white underparts and tail feathers. It has a distinctive casque on its large, curved bill. The casque is hollow and plays a role in vocal amplification. Its eyes have a striking blue ring in males and a white ring in females.
Behaviour :
These hornbills are known to be social birds, often seen in pairs or small family groups. They are monogamous and highly territorial, especially during breeding seasons. The male provides food to the female while she incubates eggs inside a tree cavity sealed with mud.
Habitat :
Found in dense tropical forests, subtropical forests, evergreen forests, and open woodlands. They are also seen near plantations, mangroves, and even human-modified habitats.
Diet :
Omnivorous, their diet consists of fruits, small mammals, insects, and reptiles. Figs are an essential part of their diet.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
Oriental Pied-Hornbills are distributed across South and Southeast Asia. They are found in countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern China.
Population Size :
The exact global population size is unknown, but it is considered stable.
Life Span :
In the wild, they can live up to 20 years or more.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: The body is black with contrasting white patches on the belly, legs, and tail feathers. Males are usually larger and heavier than females, with a more pronounced casque on the bill.
- Tarsus Length: The tarsus (leg length) of the Oriental Pied-Hornbill is about 3.5–5 cm (1.4–2 inches).
Head And Bill :
- Head: The head is large with a prominent casque on the top of the bill. The casque is hollow and varies in size between sexes, with males having a larger casque.
- Eyes: The eyes have a striking color difference between genders: males have blue eye rings, while females have white ones. The irises are typically dark brown.
- Bill: The bill is long, curved, and yellowish with black markings. A hollow casque extends from the base of the bill, primarily used for amplifying calls.
- Bill Length: The bill can be up to 20 cm (8 inches) long in adult birds, with males generally having larger bills than females.
Length :
The total length of the bird ranges from 55 to 60 cm (22–24 inches).
Neck :
The neck is relatively short and thick, blending into the large body, making the head appear more prominent.
Size :
Medium-sized hornbill species, with a bulky body and long tail.
Tail Details :
- Tail: The tail is long and broad, with white-tipped feathers, which contrast sharply against the black body.
- Tail Length: The tail length ranges from 20 to 23 cm (8–9 inches).
- Feathers: Feathers are smooth and shiny, with black and white plumage. They have a strong, glossy texture, especially on the wings and tail.
Weight :
The weight of an Oriental Pied-Hornbill ranges between 500 to 900 grams (1.1 to 2 pounds)
Wing :
The wings are broad and rounded, adapted for gliding through the forest canopy.
Wing Span :
The wingspan is between 23 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm).
Facial Feature :
The face has strong distinguishing features with a large, curved bill and a casque on top. Males have a larger casque than females, and the eyes are ringed with blue in males and white in females.
Nest Details :
- Nest: Oriental Pied-Hornbills nest in natural tree cavities, usually high above the ground, to provide protection from predators.
- Nest Made Up Of: The nest itself is not made by the bird, but the female seals herself inside a tree cavity using a mixture of mud, droppings, and food remnants. Only a small slit is left open for the male to pass food through.
Breeding Season :
Breeding season varies across regions but generally occurs during the monsoon or early post-monsoon season, often starting around March to June.
Nesting Season :
The nesting season coincides with the breeding period, typically between April and July.
Egg Color :
The eggs are usually white, sometimes with a slightly creamy hue.
Egg Length :
The average egg length is approximately 4.5 cm (1.8 inches).
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: The egg width is around 3.5 cm (1.4 inches).
- Egg Weight: Eggs weigh approximately 30 to 40 grams (1.1 to 1.4 ounces).
Clutch Size :
The female lays 2 to 4 eggs per clutch.
No. of Broods :
Typically, only one brood per breeding season.
Incubation Period :
The incubation period lasts about 24 to 28 days.
Nestling Period :
After hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for around 39 to 45 days before fledging.
Vocalization :
The Oriental Pied-Hornbill has a variety of calls, from loud cackling to softer clucks. Their calls are often described as "kok-kok-kok" sounds.
Sex Demorphism :
Males is larger, with a more prominent casque and blue eye rings. Females is slightly smaller, with a smaller casque and white eye rings.
Migration Details :
Oriental Pied-Hornbills are generally sedentary