Ruffle some feathers and get up close with the local wild birds.
MEET OUR MOST MAJESTIC BIRD
The Oriental-Pied Hornbill
Native to South East Asia, this hornbill is the smallest of all the Asian hornbill species and is predominantly black and white in color.
Did you know that a hornbill’s horn is called a casque?
The casque is hollow, so not to add excess weight to the bird, and also acts as an acoustic chamber to amplify its call. Male hornbills have larger casques than the females.
If you look closely, Oriental-Pied Hornbills have eyelashes, a trait unique to hornbills and shared among the different species.
Like other hornbills, they mate for life. When the mother is hatching the eggs, she molts completely, leaving her defenseless and incapable of flight. Thus in order to protect his family, the father seals the mother hornbill inside a hole of a tall tree with mud, leaving a slit to feed the female and her chicks when they hatch.
The hornbills in Labuk Bay are quite the lovebirds, usually showing up in pairs, especially when bananas (their favourite snack) are available!
OTHER FEATHERY GUESTS YOU CAN SPOT
MORE INFORMATION
OTTERLY ADORABLE
Read about Hanyut’s story and learn about life as an otter.
NOSE OUT
Learn about the stars of Labuk Bay and their lives in the mangroves.
A GAME CHANGER
Learn more about the monkeys that change from gold to silver at our sanctuary.