Malabar Gray Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus)

About Malabar Gray Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus)

• Kingdom: Animals
• Phylum: Chordates
• Class: Birds
• Order: Bucerotiformes
• Family: Hornbills

The Malabar gray hornbill is a hornbill endemic to the Western Ghats and associated hills of southern India. They have a large beak but lack the casque that is prominent in some other hornbill species. They are found mainly in dense forest and around rubber, arecanut or coffee plantations. They move around in pairs or small groups, feeding on figs and other forest fruits. Their loud cackling and laughing call makes them familiar to people living in the region.