REPTILIA: ARCHOSAURIA: AVES: BUCEROTIDAE: Rhyticeros

Rhyticeros plicatus Author and date

Blyth's hornbill

Photos of female taken in Kiunga, Western Province, Papua New Guinea, June 2000, by Dr. Robert Sprackland. At right an adult female Blyth's hornbill.

Range: Southeastern Asia from Myanmar and Thailand east through New Guinea to the Solomon Islands. Found in lowland forests and swamps from sea level to about 1,320 m/4,000 feet. Absent from Australia.

Diagnosis:

Description: This is a large bird (males to 0.9 m/ 3' TL) with a huge bill, and a series of 3-8 dorsal ridges on the bill. The wings make a loud "whooshing" noise as the bird flies, and he long tail and bill combine to make a flying hornbill reminiscent of a pterodactyl. 

 
Above left, an adult female hornbill; at right, a male. Photographed in Papua New Guinea.

Natural History:

Reproduction: Hornbills have interesting reproductive behavior. Females build a nest in a hollow standing tree, and then build a wall to close all but the smallest of openings. The male will bring food and pass it to the brooding female through the tiny hole. One to three eggs is laid per season, and females leave the eggs just after hatching, and fledglings may reseal the opening until they are ready to fly.

Taxonomy & Relationships: This species was named for Edward Blyth, a noted and prolific naturalist based in British India during the middle 19th century.

Variation: There is sexual and age dimorphism. Females and young birds are black with white tails and throats, while adult males also have brown to pale yellow head feathers.

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen:

 Literature: Click on book to order a copy.

Beehler, B., . Pratt, and D. Zimmerman. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton University Press. ISBN: 0691023948.