Malabar Pied Hornbill, Anthracoceros coronatus
Malabar Pied Hornbill, Anthracoceros coronatus photographed in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. This is a large hornbill, at 65 cm in length. It has mainly black plumage apart from its white belly, throat patch, tail sides and trailing edge to the wings. The bill is yellow with a large, mainly black casque. Sexes are similar, but immature birds have a smaller casque.
This species is omnivorous, taking fruit, fish and small mammals. Figs form an important part of their diet. Figs contribute up to 60% of their diet from May to February, the non-breeding season. During the breeding season (March to April) up to 75% of the fruits delivered at the nest were figs. They also feed on other fruits including those of the Strychnos nux-vomica that are known to be toxic to many vertebrates.
In central India, tribals believed that hanging a skull of the hornbill (known as dhanchidiya) brought wealth.
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Very Nice shot!