Rufous-necked Hornbill

The Rufous-necked Hornbill, Aceros nipalensis, is a majestic bird, distinguished by its impressive size and vibrant plumage. Males boast a rich rufous coloration on their underparts, neck, and head, while females are cloaked in black, save for the white tips on their tails and middle primaries. This species is one of the larger members of the Bucerotine hornbills, reaching lengths of about 117 cm.

Identification Tips

Adult males are readily identified by their rufous head, neck, and lower body, with deeper hues on the flanks and abdomen. Their middle primaries and the lower half of the tail are tipped with white. The rest of their plumage gleams with a glossy dark-green and black, and their lower tail-covert feathers are a mix of chestnut and black. Females, on the other hand, are predominantly black with white tail tips and primary tips. Juveniles mirror the adults but lack the ridges at the base of the upper beak, which develop with age.

Habitat

The Rufous-necked Hornbill is found in ridged and hilly forests, favoring primarily temperate broadleaf and mixed forests at elevations ranging from 150 to 2,200 meters. It has also been known to inhabit dry woodlands.

Distribution

This hornbill has a northernmost distribution, spanning from Northeast India and central Bhutan to western Thailand and northwestern Vietnam. It is locally extinct in Nepal. Notable locations include Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Buxa Tiger Reserve, and Namdapha National Park.

Behaviour

These hornbills exhibit a seasonal movement pattern, traversing between forests to forage from fruiting trees whose offerings change with local conditions. The nesting period extends from March to June, with a preference for tall trees with broad girths.

Conservation status

The Rufous-necked Hornbill is currently classified as Vulnerable, with fewer than 10,000 adults remaining in the wild. It is protected under CITES Appendix I and resides in several protected areas across its range. Conservation efforts include the Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme and initiatives to replace real beak usage with fiber-made replicas.

In culture

The Rufous-necked Hornbill, known in Sanskrit literature as vārdhrīnasa, holds cultural significance in regions like Arunachal Pradesh, where its feathers and beaks have been traditionally used by tribal communities.