19/03/2025
Malabar Grey Hornbill
Ocyceros griseus
The Malabar grey hornbill, a bird of considerable charm, is a large yet the smallest of the Asian hornbills, measuring 45 to 58 cm in length. Its tail spans about 23 cm, and it boasts a pale or yellowish to orange bill. The males are distinguished by their reddish bill with a yellow tip, while females feature a plain yellow bill with a black base on the lower mandible and a black stripe along the culmen. A broad whitish superciliary band graces above the eye, extending down to the neck. The wings are brown-grey with a white carpal patch, and the primary flight feathers are black with white tips. The back is grey, the vent cinnamon, and the long tail is blackish with a white tip. The underparts are grey with white streaks. Notably, the Malabar grey hornbill lacks the casque found in other hornbill species.
Conservation status
The Malabar grey hornbill is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Courtesy: Birda.org
The Malabar Grey Hornbill thrives on the Matadakad coffee plantation with more than 15-20 sightings everyday.
