Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill

1. Bird Name
The bird that is the subject of our article is the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill. Scientifically, it is known as Ocyceros gingalensis.

2. Appearance
The Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill is a medium-sized bird with a distinctive shape due to its large, curved beak. The color that dominates their feathers is a grey, giving them their common name. However, the wing tips and tail end have a white coloration while their beaks are black. Males have cream-colored eyes while females have white eyes. They have a unique feature of a casque on the top beak, which is more prominent in males.

3. Size
These birds measure about 45 cm (approximately 18 inches) in length. The wingspan of the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill is approximately 23 cm. The average weight of these birds varies between 285 and 325 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
As the name suggests, the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill is endemic to Sri Lanka. Distribution is island-wide up to around 1800m in both wet and dry zones. They are quite versatile in terms of habitat preference and are found in forests, suburban gardens and even in large city parks.

5. Interesting Facts
Tidbits of how fascinating the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill includes:
– During the incubation period, the female gets sealed inside a tree hole with mud by the male. The male then feeds the female through a small hole until the eggs are hatched.
– They are considered symbols of monogamy, as they are known to mate for life.
– These birds are also known to be quite gregarious and are often seen in various group sizes, up to even 40 individuals at once.

6. Diet
The diet of a Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill mainly consists of fruits. They are also known to eat insects and small reptiles occasionally.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Their sounds are not melodious by human standards and are mostly described as loud cackling or laughing calls. Sri Lanka Grey Hornbills are known for their active nature and agility. They fly in a unique pattern, with a series of rapid beats followed by glides with wings held in a V-shape.

8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill is currently listed as “Least Concern”. However, their population is decreasing due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

9. Lifespan
The lifespan of the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill is not exactly known, but similar species average a lifespan of about 25-35 years in the wild.

10. Additional Notes
The Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill also carries the local name “Malu kawadiya” and are especially known for their prominent display during the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year, being deeply interwoven into the cultural fabric of the country. They play an important role in seed dispersion, thus significantly contributing to the maintenance of forest ecosystems. Despite their least concern status, the conservation of their habitats is of paramount importance to sustain healthy populations.