Helmeted Hornbill
Image: M MR (cc-by-nc)
NameHelmeted Hornbill
Common NameHelmeted Hornbill
Scientific NameRhinoplax vigil
FamilyBucerotidae
Wingspan (cm)170
Length (cm)115
Weight (g)2850
Plumage DetailsAdults have black plumage on the body and wings, with a white belly and undertail coverts. The most striking feature is the bare, wrinkled skin on the head and neck, which is typically red or orange in males and pale blue or yellowish in females. The long central tail feathers are white with a broad black band near the tip. The bill and casque are yellow, often stained reddish-orange by preen oil.
Vocalization / CallIts call is a distinctive, far-carrying series of 'hoo-hoo-hoo' notes that accelerate into a maniacal, cackling laughter, often described as a 'toc-toc-toc' followed by a 'ha-ha-ha-ha-ha'.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatstropical rainforest, evergreen forest
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeFound in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and parts of Thailand and Myanmar.
Identifying Featuresmassive, solid casque, bare wrinkled neck skin (red/orange in males, blue/pale in females), extremely long central tail feathers, black body with white belly and tail tip, yellow bill and casque
Description
The Helmeted Hornbill is a very large hornbill characterized by its massive casque, which is solid and used in head-butting contests. This arboreal bird primarily feeds on fruit and is known for its distinctive, far-carrying vocalizations.
