Blyth's Hornbill
Rhyticeros plicatus
The Blyth's Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus) is a rare hornbill found in 4 countries, weighing about 1.7 kg. Blyth's hornbill, also known as the Papuan hornbill, is a large hornbill inhabiting the forest canopy in Wallacea and Melanesia.
About the Blyth's Hornbill
Blyth's hornbill, also known as the Papuan hornbill, is a large hornbill inhabiting the forest canopy in Wallacea and Melanesia. Its local name in Tok Pisin is kokomo.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Up to 91 cm (36 in) in length, the adult male has mainly black plumage with a golden or orange-buff head, white throat and a white tail. Its irises are reddish brown, and the eye is surrounded by naked pale blue skin. The female is a smaller, mainly black bird with a white throat and tail. Both sexes have a very large horn-coloured bill and casque. Young birds of both sexes resemble the male. Adults have up to eight folds on the pale casque, depending on age, while young birds have none.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia.
When to see it
Best months: April, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in August. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Blyth's Hornbill?
- Up to 91 cm (36 in) in length, the adult male has mainly black plumage with a golden or orange-buff head, white throat and a white tail. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Blyth's Hornbill?
- The Blyth's Hornbill is a huge sized bird weighing about 1.7 kg.
- Where can you see a Blyth's Hornbill?
- The Blyth's Hornbill occurs in 4 countries, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
- What birds look similar to a Blyth's Hornbill?
- The Blyth's Hornbill is most easily confused with the Wreathed Hornbill, the Knobbed Hornbill and the Plain-pouched Hornbill.
- Is the Blyth's Hornbill endangered?
- The Blyth's Hornbill is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Blyth's Hornbill for real
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