At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The rhinoceros hornbill is a large rainforest hornbill with a striking upturned casque on its bill. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
Females seal themselves into tree-hole nests, fed by the male through a narrow slit.
Range & habitat
Rainforests of the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Deforestation
- Hunting
- Loss of large nesting trees
Why it matters
A spectacular fruit-eating hornbill that disperses rainforest seeds, the rhinoceros hornbill is a flagship for Southeast Asia's threatened forests.
Sources
Sources for Rhinoceros Hornbill
- IUCN Red List — look up Rhinoceros Hornbill (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rhinoceros hornbill's casque for?
The large, upturned casque on top of its bill is thought to play a role in display and amplifying calls; it is mostly hollow and light, unlike the solid casque of the helmeted hornbill.
Why is the rhinoceros hornbill Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite deforestation, hunting, and the loss of the large old trees it needs for nesting. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: