Birds in Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok National Park is renowned for its diverse wildlife, particularly its vast array of bird species. Visitors can spot numerous birds, such as sunbirds, chestnut-headed bee-eaters, common kingfishers, olive-backed kingfishers, osprey eagles, Brahminy kites, and great hornbills, among many others.
Hornbills
There are 57 hornbill species worldwide, with nine residing in Khao Sok National Park. Hornbills are easily recognized by their long, curved bills, which sometimes feature a hollow casque on the upper mandible. Although the casque's purpose is unclear, it is thought to be a result of sexual selection. The name "hornbill" comes from the Greek "buceros," meaning "cow horn." Typically, male hornbills are larger than females, with males being up to 17% heavier and having wingspans up to 21% greater. Hornbills can live up to 30 years.
The Black, Great, Helmeted, Rhinoceros, White-crowned, and Wrinkled hornbills are categorized as "lower risk, near threatened" on the IUCN Red List, while the Bushy-crested, Wreathed, and Oriental Pied hornbills are listed as "lower risk, least concern." The Great and Helmeted hornbills are also listed in Appendix I of CITES due to their casques being used as carving material, similar to ivory.
Hornbills are monogamous and often mate for life. Before nesting, the male presents the female with a food gift and shows her a suitable nest site, usually a hole in a tree or cliff. The female then enters the hole and seals the entrance with organic materials, leaving only a small opening for food and waste to pass through, protecting the nest from predators. Larger hornbill species lay only two eggs, while smaller species may lay up to eight. Incubation periods range from 23 to 46 days, depending on the species and egg size. After six or seven weeks, the female emerges and helps the male with feeding. The fledging period lasts between 42 and 137 days, with sexual maturity occurring from one year in smaller species to three to six years in larger ones.
