Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis)



Identification

45cm. Grey wings, black primary flight feathers, grey back, brown crown, long tail black with white sides, and the underparts are white. Sexes are similar, although the male has a cream-coloured bill, whereas the female's is black with a cream stripe. Immature birds have dark grey upperparts, a cream bill, and a tail with a white tip.

Distribution

Endemic to Sri Lanka.
Common in parts of its small range.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species which is sometimes considered conspecific with Malabar Grey Hornbill.

Habitat

Forests, parkland and open thorn-forest.

Behaviour

The diet includees mainly figs, occasionally it eats small rodents, reptiles and insects.The nest is a tree hole blocked off during incubation with a cement made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one narrow aperture, barely wide enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and the chicks. 4 white eggs are laid.

Gallery


Male - Knuckles Mountain Range, Matale, Sri Lanka


Female - Knuckles Mountain Range, Matale, Sri Lanka


Juvenile - Knuckles Mountain Range, Matale, Sri Lanka

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