The oriental pied hornbill is an Indo-Malayan pied hornbill, a large canopy-dwelling bird belonging to the family Bucerotidae. Two other common names for this species are Sunda pied hornbill (convexus) and Malaysian pied hornbill.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from northeastern India and southern China through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and much of the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, Borneo, and nearby islands. Prefers lowland and hill dipterocarp forests, riverine woodland, mangroves, and forest edges. It also uses secondary growth, plantations with big shade trees, and large urban parks when mature trees are present. Often concentrates around fruiting trees, especially figs, and may commute between forest patches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This hornbill is a canopy specialist that often visits fruiting fig trees and plays an important role as a seed disperser. Females seal themselves into tree cavities during nesting, leaving only a narrow slit through which the male passes food. Its casque amplifies calls and may help in visual displays. It adapts fairly well to secondary forests and even parks where large trees remain.
In Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkeys Sanctuary, Sabah, Malaysia
Hornbills mating in Kaziranga National Park
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
slow, deep wingbeats with short glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Strong pair bonds; the female seals herself in a tree cavity for the entire nesting period while the male provisions her and the chicks. Territorial around nest sites but tolerant at abundant food sources.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud cackles, honks, and nasal calls that carry through the canopy. Wingbeats produce a distinctive whooshing sound audible at distance.
