Great hornbill, Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

© kajornyot wildlife photography/Shutterstoc

This bird is peak beak. Featuring a great hornbill

The great hornbill is known for its large size, measuring up to 120 centimetres long and weighing up to 4 kilograms. It is an agile flyer capable of manoeuvring through dense forests. Featuring striking black and yellow plumage, the great hornbill possesses a unique helmet-like casque on its bill, which amplifies its resonant calls. The bird primarily feeds on a variety of fruits but also consumes small mammals, reptiles and insects. Interestingly, the female great hornbill seals itself inside a tree cavity during the incubation period, leaving only a small opening through which the male inserts food. This magnificent bird not only contributes to the ecological balance of its habitat but also holds cultural and spiritual significance in many Southeast Asian cultures as a sacred animal and the subject of festivals.