Helmeted Hornbill
NameHelmeted Hornbill
Common NameHelmeted Hornbill
Scientific NameRhinoplax vigil
FamilyBucerotidae
Wingspan (cm)160
Length (cm)120
Weight (g)2800
Plumage DetailsThe body plumage is mostly blackish-brown with a white belly and thighs. It has a very long tail with two greatly elongated central feathers that are white with a black subterminal band. The head and neck are bare and wrinkled, bright red in males and pale blue in females, contrasting with a yellowish-orange bill and casque that turns red at the front.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its distinctive, far-carrying hooting call that accelerates into a series of maniacal cackles, often described as a 'laughing' or 'whooping' sound.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatstropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, lowland rainforests
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeFound in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and adjacent islands in Southeast Asia.
Identifying Featureslarge solid casque on bill, elongated central tail feathers, bare red (male) or blue (female) neck patch, distinctive hooting/cackling call, large size
Description
The Helmeted Hornbill is a very large hornbill characterized by its distinctive solid casque, which makes up a significant portion of its weight. It is primarily a forest dweller, known for its loud, far-carrying calls and its diet consisting mainly of fruit.
