Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill(Ocyceros gingalensis)
The Sri Lanka grey hornbill is a large bird at 45 cm in length. It has grey wings with black primary flight feathers, a grey back, and a brown crown. Its long tail is blackish with white sides, and the underparts are white. The long, curved bill has no casque. Sexes are similar, although the male has a cream-coloured bill, whereas the female's is black with a cream stripe. Immature birds have dark grey upperparts, a cream bill, and a tail with a white tip. Its flight is slow and powerful.
Habitat
They are a common endemic resident breeder in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka grey hornbill is a gregarious bird found in forests, parkland and open thorn-forest habitats.
Diet
They are omnivores observed consuming berries, fruits, insects and small lizards. It feeds mostly on figs, although occasionally it eats small rodents, reptiles and insects.
Breeding
The female lays up to four white eggs in a tree hole blocked off during incubation with a cement made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. There is only one narrow aperture, barely wide enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and chicks.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, they are classed as Least Concern(LC). The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be locally common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
Threats
There are currently no major threats towards this species but habitat loss will be affecting them and their homes.
Conservation
There are currently no conservation actions for this species.