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Robert | all galleries >> Nature Galleries >> Exotic Birds - Digital Photography > Wreathed Hornbill
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31-JAN-2006 Copyright © 2006 Robert

Wreathed Hornbill

Jurong Birdpark, Singapore

Scientific name: Aceros undulatus (Shaw, 1811). This bird is a male.

Distribution: Forested hill ranges of India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo.

This bird is not the largest of the family, but weighs over 5 pounds. Males are slightly larger than females. Birds are black with a white tail stained yellow with preen gland oil. Females have
a black head, males a brown and/or white head. (Hornbill feathers are pigmented only with melanin.) The iris and bare skin around the eye is cherry-red. Sides of the head are bare, blue in the female,
yellow in the male along with a bright yellow throat pouch. Bill is dull white.

Old World origin over 50 million years ago. (Not related to their South American ecological counterparts, the toucans, although they resemble them with their large, long beaks and striking colors.)
Related to the Hoopoes, Rollers, Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Trogons. Originated in Africa, then spread to the Asia where they radiated, eventually evolving the larger species which recolonized Africa.

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
1/800s f/3.2 at 200.0mm iso400 with Flash full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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