Oriental Pied Hornbill

Common name: Oriental Pied Hornbill

Science name: Anthracoceros albirostris

Features: Oriental pied hornbill is the smallest hornbill in Thailand. Almost all of its body is covered in black feather with a slight green glimpse. The wings’ edge is white, and so is the tail. The skin around its eyes and cheeks is very light blue. The beak and the casque is ivory white. The male and female oriental pied hornbills look similar, but can be distinguished by the casque, their body size, etc.

Habitats: Hornbills usually live in tropical or subtropical forests. However, they also migrate for a short distance in some seasons.

Behavior: 

• Nesting: Hornbills build nests in large tree cavities. The female hornbills will lock themselves in the nest cavity to incubate eggs and raise offspring. The male hornbills will find food to feed their mate.
• Mating: Hornbills are animals that mate for life and are very attached to their mates.
• Unique Calls: Used to communicate within the flock and mark territory.

Importance to the Ecosystem: 

• Plant Dispersers: Oriental pied hornbills defecate their feces along with seeds form the fruit they eat. When these feces with the seeds are left in the forest, these seeds will grow into trees, dispersing plants and restoring the forest.
• Forest Ecosystem Conditions Indicators: The sighting of hornbills in an area indicates that the ecosystem is abundant, as oriental pied hornbills need a complete food source and habitat. 
• Insect Population Regulators: In addition to fruits, oriental pied hornbills also eat insects, thus helping to control the insect population in the forest, keeping the ecological balance constant.

Sighting Opportunities in Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa:

• 06.30 – 09.00 Hrs. in the morning: Assembly Point, Saaitara Restaurant, Mini Farm & Ayurvana Spa
• 14.00 – 16.00 Hrs. in the afternoon: Hotel 2
• 16.00 – 18.00 Hrs. in the evening: Mini Farm, Ayurvana Spa & Hotel 7 and 17:00 – 18:30 Hrs. in the evening: Main Pool