Rainforest Animals: The Great Hornbill

The Great Hornbill is a big bird that is found in the rainforests of India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sumatra. The Hornbill gets its name from it’s massive bill which is curved like a horn. The Great Hornbill is also identifiable by its bright yellow and black casque (helmet) over the bill. Quite like enraged bulls, Great Hornbills like to butt their casques in midair fights.

The Great Hornbill can grow up to 120 cm in length and has a wingspan of about 152 cm. Even though it is called the Great Hornbill, it is actually not the largest hornbill but the heaviest of all the sub species. The bird can weigh up to a massive 4 kg.

The Great Hornbill’s diet consists mostly of fruit and figs, but if the opportunity presents itself, these bird don’t shy away from eating insects, snakes, smaller mammals and even other birds. Scientists have found that the Hornbill’s fruity diet and the resulting seed scattering are essential to the rainforests eco-system. These birds can fly a long distance in search of food and thus spread the seeds over a large area. Because of their size, these birds prefer to live in the canopy of the rainforest and make their nests in tree holes.

The Great Hornbill can live for a long time, up to 50 years in captivity. These birds generally form monogamous pairs and live in groups as large as 20 individuals. The mating ritual consists of loud mating calls, with the males bellowing their call, waiting for a female to answer. Once an answering call is made, the male and female soon join in a chorus of calls rising to a crescendo, which is extremely loud. This is followed by casque butting fights between the males to woo the female.

Once the mating is finalized, the pair flies up to the highest and oldest trees in the forest and builds a nest in a tree hole. The female lays one or two eggs in the nest and with the help of mud and dung both seal off the opening of the nest leaving the female inside. Small holes are made in this wall to allow the male to pass in food and the female to empty the whole.

The eggs are generally incubated for up to 40 days and when the chicks are grown enough, the female also leaves the nest, sealing the wall back up for protection, until the chicks are ready to fly.

Because of their majestic and large bill and casque, native cultures have adopted the bird into their traditions. Unfortunately this also meant the bird was hunted for its horn and casue, it’s blood was considered sacred in ceremonies and its feathers were worn as head gear.

However, they are also treated with great respect by the people and are not unnecessarily hunted or harmed as such in many cultures. In Nepal the Great Hornbill is called the King of the Forest in the native tongue and treated with great respect.

The Great Hornbill is the State bird of Kerala (India), Zomi (Myanmar) and Sarawak (Malaysia). The Great Hornbill is also the symbol of the Bombay Natural History Society, one of India’s largest non-governmental organizations involved in conservation and research. The bird in the logo was actually, the “office pet” called William, which perched in a cage in the organization premises for over 26 years.

Hunted for its casue and bill, and facing a rapidly decreasing forest area, the Great Hornbill is almost at the brink of entering the endangered list. Even though there are many Hornbill’s in captivity, this big birds do not take to caged life too well and like to spread their wings in freedom.