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Portrait of a female Oriental pied hornbill, one of the most resilient hornbill species, known for its ability to adapt to various forest types, including those near urban areas.

Hornbills are constantly on the hunt for the freshest of fruits. A male Oriental Pied Hornbill rests after inspecting the tiny fruits. Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros Albirostris) The Oriental Pied Hornbill is the most common and one of the smallest hornbill species in Malaysia. Known for its remarkable adaptability, this bird thrives across a wide range of habitats, even in areas altered by human activity. The female’s beak and casque are smaller and marked in black compared to the male’s. In Malaysia, these hornbills are often seen up close and are notably unafraid of human presence.

A young Bushy-crested hornbill perched on a vantage point while its group inspects nearby trees to forage.

The Bushy-crested hornbill is one of only two cooperative breeding hornbill species in Malaysia. Known for traveling in groups, these noisy birds are often heard long before they are seen from a distance. Bushy Crested Hornbill (Anorrhinus Galeritus) This hornbill lives in mobile groups between 3-15 birds often in a loud and noisy community. This species is co-operative during nesting where the dominant pair will breed and others in the group will help feed the female and take shifts in standing guard to fend off predators.

Hornbill pairs stay close to each other for security and comfort.

Portrait of a male Black hornbill with a prominent white superciliary stripe. Black Hornbill (Anthracoceros Malayanus) Its distinct call resembles that of a crow, featuring harsh notes that rise and fall in pitch. Unlike the more common Oriental-pied hornbill, this species has predominantly black underparts. The male is distinguished by a prominent white casque, while the female sports an all-black beak and casque, with pinkish or reddish orbital skin around the eyes. Most individuals also have white or grey superciliary stripes.

A female White Crowned Hornbill awkwardly finds itself between two males.

A male White Crowned Hornbill sets out on a hunt. As predatory birds, they are remarkably stealthy in flight, gliding silently through the air. White Crowned Hornbill (Berenicornis Comatus) This shy and unobtrusive bird prefers to stay hidden within the forest canopy, rarely venturing above the treetops. Instead, it favours short flights from one tree to another, staying below the canopy level. Its most distinctive feature is the crest that rises above its eyes and beak. The hornbill’s distribution is patchy, as its suitable habitat continues to shrink. Known for its highly carnivorous diet, it primarily feeds on insects and small reptiles, with fruit playing a less prominent role in its diet.

A female Wrinkled Hornbill basking in the morning sun.

A male Wrinkled Hornbill peering through the leaves, displaying its colours. Wrinkled Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus Corrugatus) Certainly one of the most colorful hornbill species in Malaysia, the Wreathed hornbill thrives in lowland primary and secondary rainforests, where it is occasionally seen picking off fruits mid-flight. This medium-large hornbill typically lives in pairs but can also be spotted in larger flocks. It is believed that the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary remains one of the last strongholds for this vibrant species.