Explore the fascinating diversity of Hornbills, a family of forest specialists known for their prominent casques, strong bills, and essential role in seed dispersal across tropical ecosystems. This page features key species found in South Asia and Southeast Asia, including the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Blyth’s Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and Brown Hornbill.
These hornbills are associated with a wide range of biodiverse regions—Thattekad and Dandeli in the Western Ghats, the Himalayan foothill forests of Latpanchar, Mahananda, and Rongtong, the rich lowland habitats of Dehing Patkai, and the rainforest landscapes of West Papua. Together, these locations reflect the ecological breadth of the hornbill family, from fruit-dominated evergreen forests to mixed subtropical woodlands.
The species featured here highlight the extraordinary variation within the group: from the large-bodied Great Hornbill and Rufous-necked Hornbill to the smaller Brown Hornbill, and from the endemic Western Ghats species to the distinctive Blyth’s Hornbill of Papua. Their movements, calls, social structures, and dependence on mature forest ecosystems make them among the most important indicator species for healthy tropical habitats
