Hornbill Horticulture!

Hornbills are crucial for the regeneration and continuance of the ecosystems around us, and their survival is vital.

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The Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) belonging to the family Bucerotidae, is the most common and among the smallest of the Indian hornbill species. The family Bucerotidae has 14 genera and 59 species across Asia and Africa. The Indian Grey Hornbill is usually found in the Indian subcontinent (bordering parts of Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh). Being a habitat generalist, this species is found in deciduous forests, woodlands, open-thorn forests, city gardens, parks, and plantations. Due to its wide availability in the Indian subcontinent, this species comes under the 'Least Concern' category of the IUCN Red List.

This bird grows up to around 50 to 70 cm., has a brownish-grey body, a long black and white tipped tail, and red eyes. Though the males and females look similar, they can be distinguished by the size of the casque (females have a smaller casque as compared to the males). The casque is a protuberance which is present on its beak. This species is usually omnivorous. It prefers feeding on fruits and berries, especially figs, but also feeds on varieties of insects, reptiles (snakes and lizards), mice, and fledglings of birds.