Helmeted hornbill
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The helmeted hornbill is a very large bird in the hornbill family. It is found on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand and Myanmar. The casque accounts for some 11% of its 3 kg weight. Unlik
Helmeted Hornbill
Illustration of a mature male bird, distinguishable by its casque shape and red throat area
19th-century Japanese belt ornament in hornbill ivory, showing natural preen gland colouring
Pharomachrus antisianus 1847
Hornbill ivory
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Hornbill ivory is a precious ornamental material derived from the helmeted hornbill, a large bird of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.
Helmeted hornbill
…overseas. No specimens are held in captivity. Both the Jurong Bird Park and the Penang Bird Park previously held pairs. The casque is the source of hornbill ivory, a valuable carving material. Indigenous peoples also use the central tail feathers to decorate dancing cloaks and head-dresses. Historically, the…
Cross-section of helmeted hornbill head, showing dense bony layer of the casque, harvested for hornbill ivory