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Great Hornbill

Conservation status

Vulnerable

Population Trend

Decreasing

Alternate Names

Great Indian Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill

Native Habitat

Forests

Diet

Fruits, Small mammals, reptiles, birds

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Great Hornbill

Buceros bicornis

The great hornbill is one of the larger members of the hornbill family. It is found in South and Southeast Asia. Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals. The great hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity. It is predominantly frugivorous, but is an opportunist and will prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds.

Regional Names
  • Bengali:
    রাজ ধনেশ
  • Kannada:
    ಗ್ರೇಟ್ ಹಾರ್ನ್ ಬಿಲ್
  • Malayalam:
    മലമുഴക്കി വേഴാമ്പൽ
  • Marathi:
    कवडा धनेश, राज धनेश, गरुड धनेश
  • Nepali:
    राजधनेश
  • Tamil:
    மலை இருவாட்சி
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Taxanomy

BUCEROTIFORMES
BUCEROTIDAE
Buceros bicornis

Quick Facts
  • It is a state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala.
  • It is said to be the largest of all the hornbill species found on the Indian subcontinent.
  • The beat of the wing of a Great Hornbill can be heard more than half a mile.
  • Male hornbills can die from exhaustion after the nesting process.