Helmeted Hornbill
Image: 花蚀 (cc-by-nc)
NameHelmeted Hornbill
Common NameHelmeted Hornbill
Scientific NameRhinoplax vigil
FamilyBucerotidae
Wingspan (cm)170
Length (cm)115
Weight (g)2855
Plumage DetailsMales have bare, wrinkled red skin on the head and neck, while females have pale blue skin. The body plumage is predominantly black, with a white belly and white tail feathers, except for a black band near the tip. The bill and casque are yellow, often with a reddish-orange base.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its unique, loud, resonant calls that start as a series of 'hoo' notes, accelerating into a cackling laugh, often ending with a 'whoop' sound. These calls can be heard over long distances.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatstropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, lowland rainforests
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeNative to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and parts of southern Thailand and Myanmar.
Identifying Featuressolid, heavy casque on bill, exceptionally long central tail feathers, bare red (male) or pale blue (female) facial skin, loud, laughing vocalizations, yellow bill and casque with reddish base
Description
This large hornbill is characterized by its massive, solid casque and exceptionally long central tail feathers. It is an arboreal species, primarily found in dense rainforests, where it forages for fruit and occasionally small animals.
