Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Hornbill
Common Name- Hornbill
Scientific name- Bucerotidae
‘Buceros’ means the ‘Cow horn’. Hornbills have a similar beak shape.
Size – 30cm – 120cm
There are around 55 species of Hornbills.
Habitat and Distribution-
Hornbills can be seen in the subtropical countries of Africa, Asia, Srilanka, the Indian Subcontinent, etc.
These Diurnal birds dwell in the habitat of Savannah, Dense Forests, Moist rainforests, Arid deserts, and scrubby woodland.
Appearance and its function-
It’s a moderate to large-sized stocky bird. Hornbills have a special bill as said in its name. This Bill has various functions. The shape of this Bill is a downward curve. There’s a special part the bill bears, it is called ‘Casque’.It is a hollow part above the bill
Casque appears in every hornbill bird with various sizes, shapes and colours. It is fully developed when hornbills are around the age of 6 years old.
The function of the Casque is to support the bill, attract the opposite sex, it enhances the acoustics (bird calls) in birds.
The Casque is also used to fight rival males.
Males have a larger size Casque than Females.
Hornbills have strong neck muscles, they have back bones (vertebrae) that are joints, unlike other birds.
The colours of Hornbills plumages are Black, Grey, Brown and white with other Bright colours.
Their eyes have large eyelashes that give protection from the harsh sunlight.
The eyes of Hornbills are located in such ways that they can see their beak holding their Food. So that they can keep a track of caught food in their beak.
Food and ecological role-
Hornbills are omnivores, they feed on Fruits, Insects, and Small animals. The food consumed is pushed at the back of the throat directly.
Hornbills become Territorial when they find good food resources in an area.
They are the Seed dispersers. They consume the seeds while eating fruits that remain undigested and are dispersed on the ground through their excreta.
Breeding and Nesting –
Hornbills are Monogamous. They bond and mate with an individual partner for life.
They nest in the holes or crevices in rocks or trees. Some individuals can make use of abandoned nests of Woodpeckers and Barbets. The same nests, if suitable are used again.
The male shuts the entrance of the hole nest with droppings, mud, and fruit pulps and leaves the opening for a female to enter.
Later female enters the nest and lays 2-8 eggs. Females will close the rest of the opening, and there is only enough space where the male can pass the hunted food to the female.
The reason to shut the nest is to protect the Females and nestlings from predators.
Female plumage undergoes the moult in the dark nests.
After the hatching of the chicks, the female will accompany the male to hunt and provide food for the Chicks. But chicks again, shut the nest after she comes out of it.
Threats and Mutualistic relation of Hornbills.
Hornbills have a mutualistic relationship with a Dwarf mongoose. They have the same interests in diet, but they alarm each other when their Predators are around.
Hornbills are threatened due to Habitat loss. Helmet hornbill is hunted for making ivory.
Also See ⇒ Heron Facts