Wrinkled Hornbill

rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus

The Wrinkled Hornbill is a stunning and enigmatic bird native to the ancient rainforests of Southeast Asia. A medium-sized member of the hornbill family, it is revered for its dramatic appearance, featuring a prominent, textured bill and striking facial coloration. These birds play a vital ecological role as 'farmers of the forest,' traversing large expanses of canopy to forage for fruits and subsequently dispersing seeds that maintain forest diversity. Sadly, due to extensive logging and habitat destruction, they are becoming an increasingly rare sight in their native lowland habitats. Spotting a pair of these magnificent birds gliding over the canopy is a remarkable experience for any avid birder or naturalist. Can you find a Wrinkled Hornbill? Log it and verify its identity with the Snappit app.

Habitat: Found primarily in primary evergreen lowland forests, peat swamp forests, and dense lower montane forests of Southeast Asia.

Appearance

Wrinkled Hornbills exhibit strong sexual dimorphism. Males are instantly recognizable by their bold yellow and red bills topped with a prominent, reddish wrinkled casque, pale yellow cheeks and throat, and bright blue orbital skin. Females are noticeably smaller, with primarily black bills and casques, a black head and neck, and blue skin around the eyes and throat. Both sexes share black body plumage and a mostly white tail that frequently takes on a yellow or reddish hue due to staining from preen gland oils. Their wings are broad, allowing for powerful, steady flight across the forest canopy.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderBucerotiformesFamilyBucerotidaeGenusRhabdotorrhinus

Wrinkled Hornbill

Interesting facts

During the months-long nesting period, the female completely sheds and regrows her flight feathers while safely sealed inside her tree cavity.

The male's casque, the hollow structure on top of its upper mandible, has deep ridges and wrinkles that give the species its common name.

Their naturally white tail feathers are rarely seen in pristine condition; they intentionally dye them yellow or orange using colored oils from a gland near the base of their tail.

Special abilities

Females seal themselves inside tree cavities using mud and feces, leaving only a narrow slit for the male to deliver food, providing ultimate protection against predators during incubation.

With a wide gape and highly mobile foraging habits, they swallow large fruits whole and regurgitate or excrete the seeds intact across vast distances, propagating the forest.

They actively rub colored oils secreted from their uropygial gland onto their white tail feathers, giving them a distinct yellow or orange cosmetic coloration.

Measurements & details

Length: 65-82 cm
Wingspan: 110-130 cm
Weight: 1.3-1.7 kg
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Top Speed: 45 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-3
Incubation: 29-31 days

Diet & Feeding

They are primarily frugivorous, heavily favoring wild figs and lipid-rich fruits, but will actively hunt small animals to supplement their diet during the breeding season.

Age differences: Chicks require a higher intake of protein for growth, so parents increase the proportion of insects and small vertebrates delivered to the nest.

Primary Foods

Wild figs
Lipid-rich drupes
Large insects
Small reptiles
Tree frogs

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

mutualism

Weeping Fig

Ficus benjamina

The hornbill relies on the fig tree for its primary food source, while the tree depends on the bird to disperse its seeds.

eaten by

Sunda Clouded Leopard

Neofelis diardi

A primary predator of adult hornbills and their chicks, capable of climbing high into the canopy.

competitor

Rhinoceros Hornbill

Buceros rhinoceros

Competes with the Wrinkled Hornbill for the same large tree cavities required for nesting.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Wrinkled Hornbill?

The easiest way to identify Wrinkled Hornbill is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Wrinkled Hornbill?

65-82 cm

What is Wrinkled Hornbill's wingspan?

110-130 cm

How much does Wrinkled Hornbill weigh?

1.3-1.7 kg

How long does Wrinkled Hornbill live?

20-30 years

How fast can Wrinkled Hornbill move?

45 km/h

What does Wrinkled Hornbill eat?

They are primarily frugivorous, heavily favoring wild figs and lipid-rich fruits, but will actively hunt small animals to supplement their diet during the breeding season.

Where is Wrinkled Hornbill usually found?

Found primarily in primary evergreen lowland forests, peat swamp forests, and dense lower montane forests of Southeast Asia.