Malabar Pied Hornbill

 

Anthracoceros coronatus

Identification - A large bird with black head and neck, white patch in the throat, whitish belly and  black long tail. Bill is yellowish with a black and yellow large casque. 

Male Red eyes without white patch around the eye. Posterior part of casque is black. 

Female Black eye and a white patch around eye. Posterior part of the casque is yellowish.

Male

                           Female

Nesting - Nest in tree holes by sealing the female inside the nest using mud.

Commonly seen in Forests and National parks in the dry zone.

                                                                                                            Lovindu Kuruppu