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Species Description
The Great Hornbill is the heaviest (though not longest) of the hornbills, with males weighing between 2.6-3.4kg. They are found throughout the forests of India, as well as in the Malay peninsula and Indonesia and are long-lived birds, with captive individuals living up to 50 years. Primarily frugivorous, figs make up a large portion of the Great Hornbill’s diet; they will also take small mammals, but this is very rare. Their most prominent feature is the yellow and black casque on top of the bill. The role of this casque is unknown; it is thought to be used to amplify the hornbills calls, or as an indicator of sexual maturity. Great Hornbills also have been seen engaging in head-to-head “casque butting” while in the air. Like all hornbills, during breeding the female is sealed into a hole in a tree and is unable to leave until the chicks are grown; during this time, she relies on her mate for food.
