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Photo: Dhruvaraj S from India / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Vulnerable

Malabar Grey Hornbill

Ocyceros griseus

Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) — Hornbills & Hoopoes of South & Southeast Asia.

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The Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) is a member of the Bucerotidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 292 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Bucerotiformes
  3. Family Bucerotidae Hornbills
  4. Genus Ocyceros
  5. Species griseus

Where it lives

Southwestern India

Quick facts

Weight
292 g
Family
Bucerotidae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Malabar Grey Hornbill is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.

Behaviour

A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.

Migration

The Malabar Grey Hornbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) belongs to the Bucerotidae family of the order Bucerotiformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR sw India.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 292 g, with a wing length of about 20.6 cm and a tail of around 22.6 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 231,000 km².

Songs & calls

Malabar Grey Hornbill — Call

Recorded by Sathyan Meppayur Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Malabar Grey Hornbill?

The Malabar Grey Hornbill is a large bird that weighs around 292 g.

Where does the Malabar Grey Hornbill live?

The Malabar Grey Hornbill is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR sw India, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Malabar Grey Hornbill belong to?

The Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) belongs to the Bucerotidae family, in the order Bucerotiformes.

What does the Malabar Grey Hornbill eat?

The Malabar Grey Hornbill is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.

Does the Malabar Grey Hornbill migrate?

The Malabar Grey Hornbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Malabar Grey Hornbill endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

What sound does the Malabar Grey Hornbill make?

1 real field recording of the Malabar Grey Hornbill — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Malabar Grey Hornbill's range?

The Malabar Grey Hornbill has a mapped global range of about 231,000 km².

Conservation

Vulnerable

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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