The Helmeted Hornbill's call is described as "a series of identical, loud, hollow took notes, gaining in speed before drawing to an amazing climax of maniacal laughter, tee poop notes." Labels: bird.

The call is a series of loud, intermittent barbet-like hoots, sometimes double-toned and over two dozen in number, which gradually accelerates to culminate in a cackle reminiscent of laughter.

Diet / Feeding.

Adults can grow up to 1.2 metres, and can live for up to 50 years. Helmeted Hornbills have an unusual call that is unique to this species: a series of notes sounding like ‘took’ followed by what sounds like laughter; The male and female helmeted hornbill can be distinguished by the colour of their throat pouches, which are red and turquoise respectively This casque is a solid block of ivory-like substance and quite unlike the casque of other Hornbills, which are typically hollow.

Unfortunately, this has made it attractive to native islanders who kill the birds to use the heavy casques for ornamental carvings. The call is described as hoots followed by maniacal laughter.

The animal has a huge bill that has a large, solid protuberance called a casque on the top.

Humans have used tail-feathers, heads and casques (helmet) of the Helmeted Hornbill for centuries, as decorations and for ceremonies. Demand for the ‘ivory’ casques of the Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil appears to have risen very sharply, although the species is legally protected in every range state (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand) and it is on Appendix I of CITES.

These critters are found in Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, and Borneo. But it is the helmeted hornbill’s madcap laughter that stops you in your tracks. F or centuries the helmeted hornbill has been a prized bird species across southeast Asia.

The casque is so big that it often makes the head look bald. This bird eats mostly fruit, especially Figs. The helmeted hornbill is one of the most bizarre birds in existence. The helmeted hornbill is a cool critter indeed. The bird also has a big patch of featherless, leathery skin on its neck. The call of the huge Helmeted Hornbill is almost as amazing as it's appearance . The casque of the helmeted hornbill from Borneo is different from all other hornbill species: its dense, ivory-like casque makes up about 10 percent of the bird's body weight! Alan C. Kemp, Chris Sharpe, and Peter F. D. Boesman Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020 Text last updated June 7, 2016 Its mysterious, laughing call is one of the most recognizable sounds in the region’s dense jungles.

He certainly looks the part. Maniacal laughter.

About 5ft in length including the long tail, these large hornbills mainly eat fruits in the rainforest canopy. The unique call of the male can be heard over a huge 2 km distance. Unlike other hornbills, the helmeted hornbill's casque is solid, and the skull including the casque and bill may constitute 10 percent of the bird's weight. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Habits. Posted by Unknown at 12:00. Calls / Vocalization. From their large size, to their unique bill, to their unusual call that ends in a crazy laughing sound. Populations of the rare Helmeted Hornbill, whose charismatic call epitomises the sounds of rainforests across Southeast Asia, have declined in recent years as a result of illegal hunting and trafficking. Call.

Breeding in Oriental Region: Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo; can be seen in 5 countries. 10 comments: