The Great Hornbill

The Great Hornbill : Recently, in a rare ecological occurrence, the Great Hornbill, the majestic bird was spotted far from its typical forested habitat, in the coastal region of Kakkampara near Ezhimala in Kannur district.

• About Great Hornbill : Referred to as the “gardeners” or “farmers of the forest” due to their crucial role in dispersing seeds of tropical trees.

  
  
  o These large, fruit-eating birds are commonly seen around fleshy-fruited trees, aiding forest regeneration.

  o Also called the Concave-casqued Hornbill, Great Indian Hornbill, or Great Pied Hornbill, is a large and prominent species belonging to the hornbill family.

  o Nagaland's Hornbill Festival is named after the hornbill bird, which symbolizes fidelity, beauty, and grace in Naga folklore.

  o It is the State Bird of both Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh.

  o It inhabits the upper canopy of tall trees found in the Western Ghats, the northeastern states, and the Himalayan region.

  o Hornbills are distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia.

  • Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

  o Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I (providing the highest level of protection)

  o CITES: Appendix I (restricts international trade)