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Unclassified bird photos
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Great Hornbill |
| Great Hornbill |
| Description: |
Great Hornbill
Range: Parts of India, China, southeastern Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia
Habitat: Evergreen and moist deciduous forests
Conservation Status: Near threatened
Scientific Name: Buceros bicornis
'Horny' Bird
The first thing you notice about the great hornbill is the golden-yellow horn (called a casque) on the top of its head. This curious feature serves several functions. It acts as a "resonating chamber" that amplifies the nasal sounds that the birds make. The casque is also an indicator of sexual maturity. Although immature hornbills start developing a casque at six months of age, it takes five years to develop a really prominent structure.
The casque may look heavy and cumbersome, but it's actually very light. It's made up of thin, hollow cells supported by tiny, hollow bones.
Big Bird
The great hornbill is well named; it's the largest member of the hornbill family. It weighs an average of seven pounds and stands two-and-a-half feet tall, with a wingspan at least as wide.
In addition to its large casque, the bird has a huge down-curved bill, a black band across its mostly white tail, and a black patch of feathers around its face. The feathers that appear yellow on the neck, breast, wing, and tail are really white, but are stained with preen-gland oils.
Fruit Lovers
Fruit is by far the favorite food of great hornbills, though they've also been observed eating snakes, lizards, small rodents, and large insects. Depending on where the birds live, some populations even develop their own particular preferences: scientists report that figs make up 73% of their diet in India.
Help for Hornbills
Although the species is spread over a wide range, great hornbill populations are declining in many areas due to habitat destruction. The birds are also threatened by hunting and trapping for food, tribal medicinal use, and trade.
Governments and conservation groups are working to help great hornbills. Refuges have been set aside for these birds, as well as for the protection of native fig trees. In Thailand, local people are paid stipends to guard hornbill nests. Zoos across the world, including the Saint Louis Zoo (see side story) are also helping with captive breeding programs.
Fun Facts
The great hornbill has never been seen drinking water.
Every year, the Saint Louis Zoo sends the molted tail feathers from our great hornbills to Indonesia, where they're used for ceremonial costumes.
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Bucerotidae
St Louis Zoo http://www.stlzoo.org/
Named #1 Zoo in America by Zagat and Parenting Magazines |
| Keywords: |
stlouis, missouri, us, usa, animal, bird, hornbill, 2007 |
| Date: |
25.10.2007 07:53 |
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1170 |
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0 |
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3.50 (4 Vote(s)) |
| File size: |
155.8 KB |
| Added by: |
PhotoPro |
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