The oriental pied hornbill is a beautiful bird found in parts of Southeast Asia. It has a striking black and white body, with a large, curved yellow beak that stands out. On top of its beak is a special structure called a casque, which helps it make loud, echoing calls. These birds love to live in forests and are often seen flying between trees or resting on branches.

Pied hornbills mainly eat fruits but will also snack on small animals like insects and lizards. They are important for the forest because they spread seeds as they eat, helping new plants grow. Sadly, their homes are shrinking due to deforestation, so it’s important to protect the forests where they live. Watching a pied oriental hornbill in the wild is a magical experience that shows just how amazing nature can be! 🌳🦜

Here's a photo i captured in the backyard of the guesthouse i was residing at in Guwahati, Assam!