GREAT INDIAN HORNBILL | 𝘉𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘴 𝘉𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘴

The great hornbill (Buceros bicornis), also known as the concave-casqued hornbill, great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family. It is found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals. The great hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity. It is predominantly frugivorous, but is an opportunist and will prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds.

1) FEATHERS: 1a tail feather; 1b primary wing feather.

2) ADULT HORNBILL: male and female (only head).

3) FLYING SILHOUETTE: 3a from below; 3b from above

4) GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION: Indian subcontinent, South-east Asia.

5) DIMENSIONS: size comparison to a human hand and weight.

6) DIET: 6a Indian Banyan (Ficus benghalensis); 6b Myristica fragrans; 6c Vitex altissima; 6d Knema globularia; 6e Gecko and other small reptiles; 6f Eggs (here a Sri Lanka green pigeon egg); 6g Invertebrates (here a Giraffe Stag Beetle larva); 6h Nestlings (here a White-bellied woodpecker hatchling).

7) PARENTAL HABITS: the female is sealed in a hollow tree with her offspring (b). The seal (a) is made of faces and fig pulp.

ILLUSTRATION INFORMATION

Year: 2022

Client: Simone Zoccante / Diorama Nature

Award: 1 of the 40 selected pieces for “Concurso Illustrasciencia 2022”
(page of the artwork on Illustrasciencia website)

Software: Adobe Photoshop

Dimension (for Print): 260 x 185,3 cm @ 300 dpi

Dimension (in Pixel): 30709 x 21888 px