Why in NEWS
In a rare occurrence, the Great Hornbill (Malamuzhakki Vezhambal) was spotted in the coastal region of Kannur, Kerala, far from its typical inland forest habitats.
Key Concepts and Definitions
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Great Hornbill | A large, fruit-eating bird with a yellow curved bill and casque, native to Asia |
| Casque | A hollow, helmet-like structure on top of the hornbill’s bill |
| Frugivorous | Primarily fruit-eating |
About the Great Hornbill
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buceros bicornis |
| Size & Weight | Length: 95–120 cm; Weight: ~3 kg |
| Diet | Mainly frugivorous; also consumes small animals |
| Behavior | Arboreal, diurnal, and non-migratory |
| Habitat Preference | Evergreen and moist deciduous forests; uses old trees with large cavities for nesting |
| Unusual Sighting | Coastal areas like Kannur are not part of its usual habitat range |
Geographic Distribution
| Region | Presence |
|---|---|
| India | Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, Northeast, parts of Central India |
| Other Countries | Bhutan, Nepal, China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia |
| State Bird | Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh |
| Cultural Significance | Symbol of Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival |
Conservation Status
| Status List | Designation |
|---|---|
| IUCN Red List | Vulnerable |
| CITES | Appendix I |
| Wildlife (Protection) Act | Schedule I |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code – “BIG BIRD”
Buceros
IUCN Vulnerable
Ghats & Himalayas
Bill with casque
Inner forests (not coasts)
Reproductive in tree hollows
Deforestation threat
Prelims Practice Questions
- Great Hornbill is the state bird of which of the following states?
A) Kerala and Karnataka
B) Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh
C) Nagaland and Assam
D) Sikkim and Tripura - Which of the following best explains the term ‘casque’ in birds?
A) A sharp claw
B) A type of beak
C) A crest of feathers
D) A hollow structure atop the beak - What is the IUCN conservation status of the Great Hornbill?
A) Critically Endangered
B) Vulnerable
C) Endangered
D) Near Threatened
Answers to Prelims Questions
| Question | Correct Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Great Hornbill is the official state bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh |
| 2 | D | Casque is the hollow structure on top of the beak used for resonance and display |
| 3 | B | As per the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Vulnerable |
