One of our favorite bird
families is the hornbills. These odd-looking
birds are easy to see in Khao Sok National Park.
We've seen seven species there.
The Great Hornbill is actually
common.
The bizarre Helmeted Hornbill
is also fairly easy to see. Hearing them is also
rewarding as their call permeates the jungle for
a long distance.
Bushy-crested Hornbills, a very
gregarious species, is very easy to see.
Wreathed Hornbills and Plain-pouched
Hornbills are frequently seen as well.
Though difficult to see, the stunning White-crowned
Hornbill also calls Khao Sok National
Park its home.
All of the hornbills found in Thailand are resident.
Hornbills are primarily frugivorous
(fruit eaters) though they will take small reptiles,
insects, and even other smaller birds during molting
or when rearing young.
Hornbills
make their nests in holes in trees.
Dipterocarpus, massive straight-trunked trees,
are a popular species in which hornbills to build
their nests. If you see hornbills, there is some
nice jungle somewhere nearby as these trees are
prized for their hard straight wood. They are
among the first to be cut down when humans encroach.
Hornbills
mate for life and also return to the
same tree each year to rear young. Hornbills can't
excavate a hole in a tree, so they depend on natural
holes. Natural holes are that common. That's probably
why they return to the same tree year after year.
The female seals herself in a hole using
mud and droppings. This helps prevent predation.
The male's role is that of a food provider.
He will bring the female and their young
food until the young are ready to leave their
transitory home.
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Great
Hornbill 
