Majestic denizen of the forests of India

The great Indian hornbill in flight is a spectacle to behold. Unfortunately, this massive and elusive denizen of the forests of India, including in the Western Ghats, is under constant threat from poaching and human interference in its habitats.

 

The hornbill at dusk.

The hornbill, captivating in flight.

In this spur-of-the-moment shot, the hornbill looks like a martial arts maestro warding off an attacker.

The hornbill’s wingbeats are loud and can be heard from a distance.

Its yellow horn-shaped bill, with a yellow casque on top of it, are distinctive.

The Nelliyampathy forest. The photographer has encountered a few male great Indian hornbills in the lush green hilly tracts of Valparai (Tamil Nadu) and Nelliampathy (Kerala), which are both hornbill habitats in the Western Ghats.

Valparai. The photographer has encountered a few male great Indian hornbills in the lush green hilly tracts of Valparai (Tamil Nadu) and Nelliampathy (Kerala), which are both hornbill habitats in the Western Ghats.

A lion-tailed macque.

In Valparai, a haven for lion-tailed macques.

Lion-tailed macques in Valparai, Tamil Nadu.

Hornbills need tall trees for nesting.

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The male Great Indian hornbill in glide mode.