- Anthracoceros albirostris
Identification
note nest hole (female inside).
Small (75 cm), black and white hornbill with a large yellow-white casque. Plumage black except for a white patch under the eye, white lower belly, thighs, and undertail coverts, white tips to flight feathers and white outer tail feathers. Iris-dark brown; naked skin around eye and gular skin-white; bill and casque yellow-white with black spots on base of lower mandible and front of casque; feet-black.
Distribution
N India, S China, SE Asia, Malay Peninsula, Greater Sundas and Borneo.
Taxonomy
Habitat
A conspicuous bird of lowland primary and secondary forests. Prefers more open habitat such as forest edge, clearings and secondary forest than other hornbills.
Behaviour
Found in pairs or noisy parties, flapping or gliding from tree to tree. Eats insects more than fruit. The nesting habits of the family are interesting. The incubating females are usually sealed into tree hole nests with mud, leaving only a small aperture through which food can be passed by the male. When the young are hatched the female breaks out but reseals the nest entrance again until the young are ready to leave.