Wreathed Hornbill

The Wreathed Hornbill, also known as the Bar-pouched Wreathed Hornbill, is a majestic bird adorned with a long, curved bill featuring distinctive ridges or wreaths on the casque of the upper mandible in adults. The male of the species boasts a rufous crown, a white upper breast and face, and a striking yellow throat devoid of feathers. In contrast, the female is cloaked in black with a blue throat and is marginally smaller than her male counterpart.

Identification Tips

To identify the Wreathed Hornbill, look for the pale yellow bill, black legs and feet, and the black band encircling the gular skin. Males are distinguished by their bright yellow throat and white neck, while females have blue gular skin. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with differences in plumage and gular skin coloration becoming more pronounced as the birds mature.

Habitat

This hornbill favors the lush tropical evergreen forests, making its home in the verdant landscapes from the foothills of Northeast India and Bhutan to Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and the Greater Sunda Islands.

Distribution

The Wreathed Hornbill's range extends across the foothills and evergreen forests of Northeast India and Bhutan to Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and the Greater Sunda Islands, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and several smaller islands.

Behaviour

The Wreathed Hornbill is a sociable creature, most active in the early mornings when it embarks on foraging expeditions for fruits. It forms larger flocks than other hornbill species and remains gregarious throughout the year. The bird is known to travel considerable distances in search of fruit, even flying between islands, though it does not migrate.

Song & Calls

The Wreathed Hornbill's primary call is a resonant double yelp, often described as "coo-cuk" or "wuff-wurff." This call, typically repeated in sequences, can be heard from afar, with the second part being higher-pitched and louder. The bird also makes various other low-pitched, bisyllabic barking sounds.

Breeding

The Wreathed Hornbill is a monogamous breeder, exhibiting biparental care. It nests in tree cavities in a range of habitats, including coastal forests and foothills. The female incubates and guards the eggs alone for 40 days, and the nesting cycle lasts between 111 to 137 days.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily a frugivore, the Wreathed Hornbill feeds mainly on large fruits, such as figs, which it swallows whole, thus playing a crucial ecological role in seed dispersal. It also consumes small animals, particularly during the breeding season.

Conservation status

The Wreathed Hornbill faces threats from hunting, habitat fragmentation, and deforestation. It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2018, with the global population estimated to decrease due to these threats. International protection under CITES Appendix II and national protections in some range countries are in place to aid its conservation.