Field guide · rare
Great Hornbill
A casque like carved ivory — Asia's great hornbill, booming through tall rainforest.
Vulnerable
Buceros bicornis
Overview
Great hornbills are huge canopy birds with black-and-yellow wings, a massive yellow bill, and a hollow casque that amplifies their presence. They nest in tree cavities where the female seals herself in with mud while raising chicks.
A spectacular Asia bird for India and Indonesia pages beyond peafowl and Bali starling.
- Scientific nameBuceros bicornis
- Length95–120 cm
- HeightWingspan ~1.5 m
- Weight2–4 kg
- LifespanAround 35–50 years estimated
- DietFruit
- ConservationVulnerable
- RegionForest Canopy
Habitat
- Evergreen forest
- Moist deciduous forest
Tall evergreen and moist deciduous forests of India and Southeast Asia with large nesting trees and fruiting figs.
Countries found
Field notes
Field scale for the Great Hornbill: length around 95-120 cm; height Wingspan ~1.5 m; weight 2-4 kg. Typical lifespan: Around 35-50 years estimated.
When you are scanning habitat, prioritise evergreen forest and moist deciduous forest. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.
Quick ID anchor: Huge black-and-white/yellow hornbill with a large yellow bill and double-pointed casque. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.
Diet
Fruit — especially figs — plus small animals, eggs, and nestlings opportunistically.
Travel widely to track fruiting canopy trees.
Behaviour
Usually in pairs or small groups; loud calls and whooshing wingbeats.
Unique sealed-cavity nesting with male provisioning.
How to identify
Huge black-and-white/yellow hornbill with a large yellow bill and double-pointed casque.
Black band across the tail; bare skin colours vary around the eye.
Interesting facts
- 01
The casque is mostly hollow and unique to each bird's wear pattern.
- 02
Females seal themselves into nest cavities during breeding.
- 03
Males deliver food through a narrow nest slit.
- 04
Figs are a critical part of the diet.
- 05
Wingbeats whoosh loudly in forest silence.
- 06
Among the largest Asian hornbills.
Conservation status
Great hornbills are Vulnerable. Logging of nest trees and hunting pressure reduce populations. Protecting old-growth forest cavities is essential.
Sources: IUCN Red List
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