Hornbill (Greater Indian)

The Great Hornbill also known as Greater Indian Hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity. The most prominent feature of the hornbill is the bright yellow and black casque on top of its massive bill. The casque is hollow and serves no known purpose.

This fellow has a broken casque, close up below

Approximately 60 hornbills are currently held in the US, and lesser numbers in other countries. While housing them and accommodating their diet holds little challenge, breeding them is notoriously difficult with fewer than a dozen successful attempts.

In captivity hornbills eat fruits and meat and a healthy diet is made up in most part, by fruit and some source of protein. A few have been tamed in captivity but hornbill behaviour in captivity is described as high-strung. Captive specimens may bask in the sun with outstretched wings

 

Photographed at Reid Zoo, Tucson, AZ