This Rhinoceros Hornbill is my Picture of the Week. These are the largest species of Hornbills found in the world, and this particular one was taken at the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park.
These majestic birds are mostly found on Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand islands. They grow to about 40 to 50 inches long (3 to 5 feet) and weigh about 2 to 3 kilograms.
They spot stunning colours of orange, yellow, and red on the top part while the entire body is black. The tail feathers are long and black and white.
Photos of Rhinoceros Hornbill in Malaysia
Side profile shot of the bird.
What is unique about these birds is that they lay their eggs inside tree trunks, and the females stay inside with the eggs and then with the chicks while the males bring them food.
After the eggs are laid, the male hornbill collects mud, and the pair packs that mud, along with food and faeces, to "mud-up" the tree cavity entrance.
Another thing to watch for is the hornbill 'bark' or call. It sounds very different from that of normal birds, too.
At the KL Bird Park, two of these huge birds are in an enclosed aviary, especially for them only. A Hornbill Restaurant is also in the area, so one can sit outside and watch these amazing birds.
The Rhinoceros Hornbill is also Sarawak's national bird and is widely used in official logos. Many tourism industry people also use the hornbill as their official logo or mascot.
After the eggs are laid, the male hornbill collects mud, and the pair packs that mud, along with food and faeces, to "mud-up" the tree cavity entrance.
Another thing to watch for is the hornbill 'bark' or call. It sounds very different from that of normal birds, too.
At the KL Bird Park, two of these huge birds are in an enclosed aviary, especially for them only. A Hornbill Restaurant is also in the area, so one can sit outside and watch these amazing birds.
The Rhinoceros Hornbill is also Sarawak's national bird and is widely used in official logos. Many tourism industry people also use the hornbill as their official logo or mascot.
A close-up profile of the hornbill.
Frontal view of the bird.
Conclusion
If you want to see these fantastic birds, you can do so at most Southeast Asian zoos, namely the Singapore Zoo, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, and Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur.
For those who are a little more adventurous, you can even make a trip to Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo to see them in their natural habitat.
Some places in Sabah offer a Kinabatangan River Safari Cruise, where you can catch many birds in the wild. Nothing beats being there personally to capture a Rhinoceros Hornbill picture for your collection.
For those who are a little more adventurous, you can even make a trip to Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo to see them in their natural habitat.
Some places in Sabah offer a Kinabatangan River Safari Cruise, where you can catch many birds in the wild. Nothing beats being there personally to capture a Rhinoceros Hornbill picture for your collection.