Tickell's brown hornbill, also known as the rusty-cheeked hornbill, is a species of hornbill found in forests in Burma and adjacent western Thailand. Austen's brown hornbill is sometimes considered as a subspecies of Tickell's brown hornbill.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs mainly in southern and southeastern Myanmar with range extending into adjacent western Thailand, especially along the Tenasserim range. It favors primary evergreen and semi-evergreen hill forests and mature secondary forest with large cavity-bearing trees. Birds forage primarily in the mid to upper canopy, often moving along ridgelines and riverine corridors. They are closely tied to fruiting fig trees and will range widely to track seasonal fruit availability. The species avoids heavily degraded or open agricultural landscapes.
Altitude Range
100–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Tickell's brown hornbill, also called the rusty-cheeked hornbill, inhabits intact evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of Myanmar and adjacent western Thailand. Like other hornbills, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity to nest, relying on the male (and sometimes helpers) to deliver food. It is highly dependent on large old-growth trees for nesting and on fruiting figs, making it sensitive to forest loss and fragmentation.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with deep wingbeats and audible whooshing
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small family parties and sometimes loose flocks at fruiting trees. Monogamous pairs nest in large tree cavities; the female is sealed in with a slit left for food delivery. Cooperative breeding is reported, with one or more helpers assisting the breeding pair with provisioning.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include low hoots, nasal yelps, and grating calls exchanged between group members. At close range, wingbeats produce a characteristic heavy whoosh during flight.
Plumage
Overall brown to dark brown body with a warmer rusty wash on the cheeks and sides of the head; paler buffy throat and underparts. Tail is dark with contrasting pale or whitish tips. Feathers appear smooth with slight gloss on the wings and mantle.
Diet
Primarily frugivorous, taking a wide variety of forest fruits and figs, which can dominate the diet seasonally. It supplements fruit with large insects such as beetles and orthopterans. Small reptiles, nestling birds, and other animal matter are occasionally taken, especially when feeding mates or chicks. Food is often swallowed whole and later regurgitated for chicks.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid to upper canopy of mature evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, especially at fruiting fig trees. Also forages along forest edges, ridgelines, and riverine forests where large fruiting trees are common.
