Habits
Usually in pairs, but sometimes in small flocks outside the breeding season.
Food
Figs and other fruits. Also large insects, spiders, lizards, eggs.
Voice
A loud, deep, far-carrying bark, 'gnark'. Female is higher-pitched than male. A 'ger-unk' or 'eng-gang', increasing in pace, is uttered in antiphonal duet in flight.
Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) [XC134596]
by Mike Nelson from Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia (call)
Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) [XC30007]
by Arnold Meijer from Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia (call)
Nest
In a natural cavity of a large tree.
Eggs (Guide)
1 - 2; white mottled with brown. Incubation: by female. Female is sealed into nest and fed by male and other helpers.
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis). The two are reported to have hybridized both in wild and in captivity. Birds from Sumatra described as subspecies sumatranus, on grounds of larger size, but appear inseparable from nominate.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
rhinoceros Linnaeus, 1758 - Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet