At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The helmeted hornbill is a large Southeast Asian hornbill with a solid casque on its bill, unusual among hornbills. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Its casque is carved like ivory, which has made it a target for poachers.
Range & habitat
Rainforests of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Poaching for its solid casque ('red ivory')
- Deforestation
Why it matters
As a large fruit-eater, the helmeted hornbill disperses rainforest seeds, and its plight highlights a lesser-known but severe form of wildlife trafficking.
Sources
Sources for Helmeted Hornbill
- IUCN Red List — look up Helmeted Hornbill (authoritative status)
- BirdLife International
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the helmeted hornbill poached?
Unlike other hornbills, it has a solid casque that can be carved like ivory ('red ivory'), making it a target for the illegal wildlife trade.
Why is it Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite heavy poaching for its casque alongside deforestation across its range. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: