Helmeted Hornbill
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dougjj" title="User:Dougjj">Doug Janson</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
NameHelmeted Hornbill
Common NameHelmeted Hornbill
Scientific NameRhinoplax vigil
FamilyBucerotidae
Wingspan (cm)170
Length (cm)115
Weight (g)2850
Plumage DetailsThe body plumage is predominantly dark brown to black, with white on the belly and thighs. The most striking features are the large, solid casque and bill, which are reddish-orange to yellowish. Males have a bare, wrinkled neck pouch that is bright red, while females have a pale blue or greenish pouch.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its distinctive, loud, resonant hooting calls, which often accelerate into a series of rapid, laughing-like sounds. These calls can carry over long distances in the forest.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatstropical evergreen forest, lowland primary forest
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeFound in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and southern Thailand.
Identifying FeaturesLarge, solid casque on the bill, Bare, wrinkled neck pouch (red in males, blue/green in females), Long central tail feathers, Loud, hooting call, Dark body plumage with white lower parts
Description
The Helmeted Hornbill is a very large forest bird characterized by its massive casque, which is solid and used in head-butting contests. It has a distinctive bare, wrinkled neck pouch and a long, pointed central tail feather. This species is primarily arboreal, spending most of its time in the forest canopy.
