Mary Allen
Introduction: The Blyth’s Hornbill
Blyth’s hornbill, also known as the Myanmar hornbill, is a bird species belonging to the Bucerotidae family. It is named after Edward Blyth, an English zoologist who first described the species in 1852. This bird is characterized by its large size, colorful bill, and distinctive casque or horn-like structure on its upper bill. Blyth’s hornbill is native to Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia. The species is known for its unique behavior of sealing itself inside tree cavities during the breeding season, where the male bird provides food for the female and their young.
Geographic Distribution of Blyth’s Hornbill
Blyth’s hornbill is primarily found in tropical forests and woodlands in Southeast Asia. Its range extends from Myanmar in the west to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia in the east. The species prefers lowland forests, but it can also occur in foothills and montane forests up to 1,500 meters elevation. Blyth’s hornbill is known to inhabit both primary and secondary forests, as well as disturbed habitats such as logged forests and agricultural areas. However, the species is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, conversion of forests to plantations, and human settlements.