Malabar Pied-Hornbill Bird Details
Anthracoceros coronatus
Malabar Pied-Hornbill,Lesser Pied Hornbill, Ceylon Pied Hornbill;
Kala Dhanesh
Pieter Boddaert ,1783
Bucerotiformes (HOOPOES and HORNBILLS)
Bucerotidae
Anthracoceros
Appearance :
A large bird with a striking black and white appearance. Its beak is massive, with a prominent casque (a hollow structure on the upper mandible). The body is predominantly black with white underparts and a white tail. The bill is pale yellow with black markings on the casque. Males and females are similar, but males are slightly larger.
Behaviour :
Malabar Pied-Hornbills are social birds, often found in small groups or pairs. They are monogamous, forming long-term pair bonds. Known for their cooperative breeding behavior, with helpers sometimes aiding the breeding pair.
Habitat :
They prefer tropical and subtropical forests, especially near rivers and water bodies. They can also be found in plantations and woodlands.
Diet :
Primarily frugivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits, particularly figs. They also eat small animals like insects, small mammals, reptiles, and birds.
Conservation Status :
Near Threatened
Distribution :
Native to the Indian subcontinent, particularly in South Asia. Their range spans across the Western Ghats, parts of the Eastern Ghats, and Sri Lanka.
Population Size :
Their population is thought to be declining.
Life Span :
In the wild, they can live up to 15-20 years.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: Large and striking black-and-white bird.
- Tarsus Length: Around 6–8 cm (typical for large hornbills).
Head And Bill :
- Head: Prominent with a large casque on top of the bill.
- Eyes: Dark, surrounded by a patch of bare skin.
- Bill: Large, yellowish with a blackish casque (upper mandible).
- Bill Length: Around 22–25 cm.
Length :
Approximately 65–85 cm.
Neck :
Short and robust.
Size :
Large-sized bird, one of the prominent hornbills in India.
Tail Details :
- Tail: Long and white with a black base.
- Tail Length: Around 30 cm.
- Feathers: Mostly black with white underparts and white tail feathers.
Weight :
Between 900 grams to 1.5 kg.
Wing :
Broad and rounded, typical of forest-dwelling birds for slow, maneuverable flight.
Wing Span :
Approximately 90–130 cm.
Facial Feature :
Dark facial skin around the eyes. Prominent large casque on top of the bill in both males and females.
Nest Details :
- Nest: Built inside natural tree cavities or hollows.
- Nest Made Up Of: The female seals herself inside the nest with mud, feces, and fruit pulp, leaving a narrow slit through which the male provides food.
Breeding Season :
Typically between March and June.
Nesting Season :
The nesting season aligns with the breeding period.
Egg Color :
White or pale-colored.
Egg Length :
Around 4–5 cm (based on general hornbill egg size).
Egg Width and Weight :
Egg Width: Approximately 3–3.5 cm.
Clutch Size :
Usually 1–4 eggs.
No. of Broods :
Typically 1 brood per breeding season.
Incubation Period :
About 25–30 days
Nestling Period :
After hatching, the nestling period can be around 45–50 days before the chicks fledge.
Vocalization :
They produce a variety of loud cackles and harsh calls, often heard during flight.
Sex Demorphism :
Males are slightly larger than females. The casque and bill of the male are generally larger and more pronounced compared to the female.
Migration Details :
They are generally non-migratory.