Great Hornbill Bird Details
Buceros bicornis
Great Hornbill,Indian Hornbill, Malabar Hornbill, or Great Indian Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill;
Bada Haridra
Carl Linnaeus (described in 1766)
Bucerotiformes (HOOPOES and HORNBILLS)
Bucerotidae
Buceros
India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, as well as in parts of the Western Ghats), Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of the Andaman Islands.
Appearance :
It has a striking appearance with a black body, bright yellow and orange casque (the helmet-like structure on the bill), and white wing tips. The underparts are mostly white.
Behaviour :
Great Hornbills are often seen in pairs or small family groups. They are known to be social birds, sometimes congregating in larger flocks. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, including bowing and calling. Females seal themselves inside tree cavities to lay eggs, and the male provides food during this period.
Habitat :
They inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, including rainforests and deciduous forests. They prefer areas with tall trees for nesting.
Diet :
Great Hornbills are frugivorous, primarily feeding on fruits. They also consume small mammals, reptiles, and insects. They play a vital role in seed dispersal due to their fruit-eating habits.
Conservation Status :
Near Threatened
Distribution :
The Great Hornbill is found in Southeast Asia, including parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Population Size :
Exact population numbers are not well-documented
Life Span :
Great Hornbills can live up to 30-50 years in the wild.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: The Great Hornbill has a robust and large body with a distinctive long tail and a prominent casque on the bill.
- Tarsus Length: Approximately 5.5–6.5 cm (2.2–2.6 inches).
Head And Bill :
- Head: The head is relatively small compared to the body, with a pronounced casque that is yellow and orange in color, giving it a unique appearance.
- Eyes: The eyes are small and dark, positioned on the sides of the head, providing a wide field of vision.
- Bill: The bill is long and curved, featuring a prominent casque. It is yellow with a black tip.
- Bill Length: Approximately 25–30 cm (9.8–11.8 inches), making it one of the largest bills among bird species.
Length :
The Great Hornbill measures about 90–100 cm (35–39 inches) in total length.
Neck :
The neck is short and thick, connecting the head to the body seamlessly.
Size :
It is one of the largest hornbill species, with a robust and bulky build.
Tail Details :
- Tail: The tail is long and rectangular, with white tips and dark feathers.
- Tail Length: Approximately 40–50 cm (15.7–19.7 inches), constituting a significant portion of the bird's overall length.
- Feathers: The body is covered in glossy black feathers, with white wing tips and a striking contrast with the bright casque.
Weight :
Weighs between 2.5 to 4 kg (5.5 to 8.8 lbs)
Wing :
The wings are broad and long, suited for soaring and gliding through the forest canopy.
Wing Span :
Approximately 1.5 to 1.8 meters (4.9 to 5.9 feet)
Facial Feature :
The Great Hornbill has a distinct casque (the helmet-like structure on the bill) that is larger in males. Their face has a yellow and orange coloration, contrasting with the black feathers.
Nest Details :
- Nest: The Great Hornbill nests in tree cavities, often in tall, mature trees with large diameters, providing safety from predators.
- Nest Made Up Of: The nest is usually unlined, as the female seals herself inside the cavity after laying eggs, using mud and droppings to close the entrance.
Breeding Season :
The breeding season generally occurs from February to June.
Nesting Season :
Nesting typically occurs during the monsoon season when food is more abundant.
Egg Color :
The eggs are typically white, smooth, and glossy.
Egg Length :
Approximately 4.5–5.0 cm (1.8–2.0 inches).
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: Approximately 3.5–4.0 cm (1.4–1.6 inches).
- Egg Weight: Around 50–60 grams (1.8–2.1 ounces) per egg.
Clutch Size :
Usually consists of 2 to 4 eggs.
No. of Broods :
Generally, the Great Hornbill raises one brood per breeding season.
Incubation Period :
Lasts about 30–40 days.
Nestling Period :
The nestlings remain in the nest for about 60–80 days before fledging.
Vocalization :
They produce a variety of sounds, including honks, barks, and clattering calls.
Sex Demorphism :
Males are generally larger than females and possess larger casques. Females typically have a slightly smaller bill and less pronounced coloration.
Migration Details :
Great Hornbills are generally sedentary and do not undertake long migratory journeys.
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