Rhinoceros Hornbill
A large bird with a bright yellow casque on its beak that lives in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. It uses its casque to make loud calls and has a special way of nesting to protect its babies.
What is it?
The Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) is a big bird that lives in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. It is famous for its bright yellow and orange casque, a hollow structure on top of its beak. The casque is made of keratin, the same material as your fingernails. Scientists think the casque helps amplify the bird's calls, like a loudspeaker, so it can be heard through the dense forest.
How old?
This bird species has been around for thousands of years. The one you saw is a preserved specimen, but wild hornbills can live up to 35 years.
What was it like?
Rhinoceros Hornbills are active during the day. They eat mostly fruits, especially figs, and also small animals like insects and lizards. They play an important role in the rainforest by spreading seeds through their droppings. Their call is a loud, harsh sound that can be heard far away.
Why does it matter?
Hornbills are important for the health of the rainforest. By eating fruits and spreading seeds, they help new trees grow. They are also a symbol of the rainforest's beauty. Unfortunately, they are listed as Near Threatened because their forest homes are being cut down and people sometimes hunt them.
Connections
- Southeast Asia
- Tropical Rainforest
- Casque
- Conservation
- Animal Behavior
- Endangered Species
- Seed Dispersal
Next to find
- Find another hornbill species and compare its casque.
- Look for a fruit that hornbills eat, like a fig.
- Visit a rainforest exhibit and see how many layers it has.
犀鸟
一种喙上有亮黄色角冠的大型鸟类，生活在东南亚的雨林中。它用角冠发出响亮的叫声，并有特殊的筑巢方式来保护幼鸟。
这是什么？
犀鸟（Buceros rhinoceros）是一种生活在东南亚热带雨林中的大型鸟类。它以亮黄色和橙色的角冠而闻名，角冠是喙顶上的中空结构，由角蛋白构成，与你的指甲材料相同。科学家认为角冠有助于放大鸟类的叫声，就像扬声器一样，使其在茂密的森林中能被听到。
多大年纪？
这种鸟类已经存在了数千年。你看到的是标本，但野生犀鸟可以活到35岁。
它是什么样的？
犀鸟白天活动。它们主要吃水果，尤其是无花果，也吃小动物如昆虫和蜥蜴。它们通过粪便传播种子，在雨林中扮演重要角色。它们的叫声响亮而刺耳，能传得很远。
为什么重要？
犀鸟对雨林的健康很重要。通过吃水果和传播种子，它们帮助新树生长。它们也是雨林美丽的象征。不幸的是，由于森林被砍伐和人类捕猎，它们被列为近危物种。
联系
下一步寻找
- 找另一种犀鸟，比较它们的角冠。
- 找一种犀鸟吃的水果，比如无花果。
- 参观雨林展区，看看它有多少层。