The Great Hornbill• Native to south and south east Asia.

• Distinctive yellow casque on top of the beak. It is 95-120 cms in length weighing about 3kgs.They have prominent eyelashes.Females have pinkish orbital skin.

• Feed mostly on fruits but their diet also includes small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.

• Live in small groups or flocks of upto 40 birds.

• Hunted by tribesmen for meat, feathers and beak (which is used in making charms,jwellery.

• Called homrai in Nepal, meaning ‘King of the forest’.

• A great hornbill named William was the model for the logo of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

Hornbill Festival

• Annual celebration held in the first week of December in Kohima.

• Fest includes colourful costumes and performances, parades, traditional danceforms, paintings, sculptors by naga artists, exhibitions, rituals, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies.