Placed in a genus of its own due to unique morphology and vocalization, but a sister species to Buceros hornbills and has also been included in that genus.
Size 110-127 cm. Male 3060 g; female 2610-2840 g. Very large hornbill with characteristic elongated central tail feathers of extra 30-45 cm; wings with creamy-white trailing edge. The relatively short bill and front of a high red casque are cosmetically stained with yellow from preen oil.
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MALE HAS BARE RED NECK. THE HEAVY ANTERIOR CASQUE IS SOLID ‘IVORY’. THE FEMALE IS SMALLER WITH PALE BLUISH SKIN ON NECK AND SMALLER CASQUE. JUVENILE HAS SHORTER TAIL, SMALL YELLOW BILL WITH LOW CASQUE AND LIGHT GREENISH-BLUE HEAD AND NECK.
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The voice of the male is a unique call that can be heard over 2 km away; it is one of the distinguishing sounds of undisturbed Sundaic rainforest .
The male positions himself high in the forest; the call starts as a series of slow deep honking notes, in the beginning far apart; then the notes build up gradually in speed, before climaxing in loud maniacal laughter.
Bouts of penetrating calls like this, with a few minutes interval, can last for one hour; the female will sometime join it in a duet, her pitch a bit higher.
The Rock Bird
Rockbirds play an important role in the ecosystem as planters that spread plants. They therefore have a conservation status as protected wildlife. The CITES treaty lists it as protected by law, and the IUCN Red List lists the rockbird as critically endangered (CR). head Known as “blood ivory”, it has become an attraction to those with the myth that ivory is worshiped as a sacred object of wealth.
The resolution of the National Council for Peace and Order this time is an important vision that affects the conservation of the rockbird in Thailand, resulting in more stringent conservation legal measures. Including the budget for conservation, study of rocking birds for the future in population rehabilitation. habitat of this rare bird species.