The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of birds for residing and nesting. Hornbills are no exception in this regard. Various species of hornbills have been recorded in India. Some of these hornbills are described below.
Great Hornbill
Great Hornbill has been recorded in the north eastern India. It is the largest hornbill of India. This bird has white neck. The male bird has red eyes, whereas the female bird has white eyes. The bird"s beak is yellow, which has a casque on top. The male has a flat casque forked in front and edged with black, whereas the female`s casque is smaller and is devoid of the black color.
The white color of the bird on the head, neck, wing coverts and tail base are often stained yellow with oil from the preen gland.
Malabar Grey Hornbill
Malabar Grey Hornbill is endemic to the Western Ghats and adjoining Eastern Ghats of southern India. This hornbill is small, but has a large beak. The male has a pale reddish orange beak with yellowish tip. The female has a yellow bill. This hornbill is devoid of the casque of other hornbill species. A whitish eyebrow stripe runs down to the neck of the bird. The dominant color on the body of this hornbill is gray. The grayish underparts have white streaks. The primary flight feathers are black and the vent is rufous.
Rufous-Necked Hornbill
Rufous-Necked Hornbill receives shelter in the protected areas of India. The beak is devoid of a true casque but is thickened at the base. The male bird has rufous head, neck and lower body. The middle primaries and the lower half of the tail are tipped white. The lower tail-covert feathers are colored chestnut and mixed with black. The rest of the bird"s plumage is glossy dark-green and black. The female counterpart is a black colored bird, but has white color at the end of the tail and the tips of the middle primaries.
Indian Grey Hornbill
Indian Grey Hornbill is a common hornbill of the Indian Subcontinent. Its casque is short and pointed. This bird has red iris and a pale supercilium. Its upper body is grayish brown. The flight feathers of the wing are dark brown and have whitish tip. The tail has a white tip and a dark subterminal band. The male has a larger casque on a dark bill. The female counterpart has a more yellowish bill with black on the basal half and on the casque.
Other Indian Hornbills
Oriental Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill and Narcondam Hornbill are some of the other Indian Hornbills.
