HORNBILLS OF LANGKAWI — THE FOREST GIANTS

JungleWalla Nature Journal | Species Spotlight

Hornbills are perhaps the most iconic avian residents of Langkawi’s rainforests. Their presence is a sign of a healthy ecosystem, as they require large, ancient trees for nesting and vast tracts of forest to forage for fruit. Among the species found on the island, the Great Hornbill and the Oriental-pied Hornbill are the most frequently encountered.

GREAT HORNBILL (Buceros bicornis)

Measuring up to 1.20 meters from the tip of its beak to the end of its tail, the Great Hornbill is a magnificent sight. Its call is a distinct, loud "Gok! Gok! Gok!", sometimes followed by a resonant "Gawarrrr!!". One of the most remarkable things about this bird is the sound of its flight—a loud "whoosh" produced by each wing beat, which can be heard from a distance. These birds are vulnerable to extinction as they require a large population to maintain a viable breeding gene pool.

ORIENTAL-PIED HORNBILL (Anthracoceros albirostris)

This is the most common hornbill species in Langkawi. Smaller than the Great Hornbill (between 60 to 70 cm), it features black and white plumage with a large yellow-white casque. Key identifiers include a white patch under the eye, white lower belly, and white tips on the flight feathers.

While Oriental-pied Hornbills are typically monogamous and raise only one chick, Irshad Mobarak has recorded a unique couple in Langkawi that successfully raised two young. The fledglings spend about seven and a half months with their parents before joining bachelor flocks.

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SEE THE HORNBILLS IN THE WILD