Wildlifeof Nepal
Great Hornbill
Hornbills, Hoopoes & Trogons
Photo: dhfischer · CC-BY
Buceros bicornis
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly fruit, including figs and lipid-rich fruits of the laurel and nutmeg families; also small mammals, birds, reptiles and large insects
Habitat
Forest; obtains water from fruit
Range
Forests of India, Bhutan, Nepal, mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra and Java
Size
95–130cm
Wingspan
About 152cm
Weight
2–4kg
The great hornbill is one of the larger hornbills, 95 to 130cm long with a 152cm wingspan and a weight of 2 to 4kg. Its most prominent feature is the bright yellow and black casque on top of its massive bill. Females are smaller than males and have bluish-white instead of red eyes, with the back of the casque reddish. It is the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and the official bird of Kerala (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is native to the forests of India, Bhutan, Nepal, mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra and Ujung Kulon in Java. It is predominantly frugivorous but also preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds, and obtains water entirely from fruit. It is usually seen in small parties, with larger groups at fruiting trees. It has lived nearly 50 years in captivity, and in Thailand the home range of males was about 3.7 square kilometres in the breeding season.
Quick answers
- What does the Great Hornbill eat?
- Mainly fruit, including figs and lipid-rich fruits of the laurel and nutmeg families; also small mammals, birds, reptiles and large insects
- What habitat does the Great Hornbill live in?
- Forest; obtains water from fruit
- Where is the Great Hornbill found?
- Forests of India, Bhutan, Nepal, mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra and Java
- How big is the Great Hornbill?
- 95–130cm
- What is the wingspan of the Great Hornbill?
- About 152cm
- How much does the Great Hornbill weigh?
- 2–4kg