Blyth’s Hornbill Sound: Haunting Papuan Hornbill Calls

Blyth’s Hornbill AKA Papuan Hornbill Rhyticeros plicatus

Locations: Indonesia (northern Moluccas, West Papua), Papua New Guinea (from Southern Highlands to Simbu Province, Bismarck Archipelago, Bougainville and Buka Islands), Solomon Islands (Choiseul to Guadalcanal and Malaita)

Appearance and behaviour

Blyth’s hornbill presents one of nature’s most striking displays of sexual difference amongst birds. Males showcase a golden to orange-buff head that gleams against their predominantly black plumage, whilst females maintain an entirely black appearance save for their brilliant white throat and tail. Both sexes possess remarkably large horn-coloured bills crowned with distinctive casques that develop up to eight folds with age—young birds display none of these characteristic ridges. Adults weigh between 1,190 to 2,000 grams, with females typically weighing 283 grams less than their male counterparts.

Additionally, the Blyth’s hornbill sound gives Papuan forests their cadence with a wooshing noise so loud and characteristic it has been compared to steam train. Beyond flight sounds, Rhyticeros plicatus communicate through far-reaching guttural grunts and laughing calls that echo across the forest canopy. They form loyal pairs that engage in elaborate courtship rituals, including mutual preening and calling displays that strengthen their lifelong bonds.

Threats

Palm oil deforestation

Blyth’s hornbill populations face severe pressure from large-scale palm oil plantations destroying their lowland forest habitat across Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Recent satellite data reveals that despite official measures, more than 1,150 hectares of rainforest in their range were cleared in just the first half of 2022, primarily for palm oil industries. All palm oil production drives deforestation and destroys critical fruiting trees that Rhyticeros plicatus depend upon for survival.

Hunting pressure

Indigenous communities traditionally hunt Rhyticeros plicatus for ceremonial purposes, using their feathers in headdresses, bills as personal adornments, and lower mandibles as spear points. Whilst they have withstood millennia of traditional hunting pressure, increased human populations and availability of firearms in certain regions have amplified these impacts. This hunting pressure has made them increasingly rare in some areas of New Guinea.

Deforestation for mining and timber

Large-scale deforestation is a huge threats to their existence by destroying the continuous forest canopy they require for movement and feeding. Furthermore, mining operations and infrastructure development further destroy their habitat, isolating populations and reducing access to essential fruiting trees.

Blyth’s hornbill range

Blythe’s hornbill inhabits lowland forests from sea level to 1,500 metres elevation across a vast range spanning eastern Indonesia’s northern Moluccas, throughout New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and eastward to the Solomon Islands. Blyth’s hornbill range is under severe threats by agribusiness and mining giants razing the area for palm oil and precious mineral mining. Prior to the incursion, Papuan hornbills occupies primary and secondary forests, riverine woodlands, and swamp forests within their range.

Papuan hornbill’s diet

The Papuan hornbill’s diet is a fruit eater, feasting mostly on figs (Ficus species) which comprise the foundation of their nutritional needs. They also consume fruits from Arenga pinnata, Canarium indica, Horsfieldia sylvestris, and Myristica fatua species. During breeding season, they add to their diet with protein-rich foods including insects, crustaceans, small reptiles, bird eggs, and nestlings. Remarkably, Rhyticeros plicatus have been observed feeding on crabs along beaches and consuming bee honeycomb when available. Moreover, research indicates that increasing dietary protein prior to and during breeding season significantly stimulates reproductive success in captive populations.

Mating and reproduction

Blyth’s hornbills exhibit extraordinary nesting behaviour that sets them apart from most bird species. They select large tree hollows positioned 18 to 30 metres above the forest floor, where the female seals herself inside using a mixture of fruit pulp and rotten wood, leaving only a narrow opening. The male assumes complete responsibility for feeding both the female and chicks through this small opening throughout the entire incubation and nestling period. Pairs that have spent more years together demonstrate significantly higher breeding success, with strong pair bonds essential for reproduction. They typically lay two eggs, though not all chicks survive to fledging. This sealing behaviour protects against predators whilst creating optimal humidity conditions within the nest cavity.

FAQs: Papuan hornbill facts

What makes Papuan hornbill sounds unique amongst hornbill species?

Blyth’s hornbill is the only hornbill species native to the Australasian region. Furthermore, they are one of the largest flying birds across New Guinea and surrounding islands, with their thunderous wing beats creating Blyth’s hornbill sounds unlike any other forest animal. The Papuan Hornbill’s remarkable size, reaching up to 91 centimetres in length with wingspans approaching 1.8 metres, combined with their distinctive casque development and sexual difference, makes them unmistakable within their habitat.

How do Blyth’s hornbills contribute to forest ecosystems?

These magnificent birds serve as crucial seed dispersers throughout tropical forests, particularly for large-seeded plant species that few other animals can transport effectively. Their droppings distribute seeds across vast distances as they travel between fruiting trees, maintaining forest regeneration and ecological diversity across fragmented landscapes. They fly high across forest canopies and will cross open water to reach offshore islands, connecting isolated forest patches and maintaining genetic diversity amongst plant populations.

What are the main threats across the Blyth’s hornbill range?

Palm oil deforestation represents the primary threat to their existence, with over 1,150 hectares of their rainforest habitat cleared in just six months during 2022 for plantation development. Traditional hunting pressure has intensified with growing human populations and increased firearm availability, making them rarer in many regions of New Guinea. Deforestation from mining, logging, and infrastructure development destroys the continuous forest canopy they require for movement between feeding and nesting sites.

Take Action!

Protect Blyth’s hornbill and their thunderous flight across tropical canopies by making conscious choices every time you shop. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife to prevent further destruction of their lowland forest homes. Support indigenous-led conservation initiatives that recognise traditional ecological knowledge whilst protecting critical habitat. Choose products that don’t contribute to deforestation and advocate for stronger protection of New Guinea’s remaining primary forests where these magnificent birds continue their ancient aerial journeys.

Support Blyth’s Hornbills by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

BirdLife International. (2020). Rhyticeros plicatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22682544A184674368. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22682544A184674368.en

Groot, K., Brereton, J. E., King, C. E., & Rose, P. (2024). A preliminary global investigation into potential impacts on successful captive breeding for two species of Rhyticeros hornbill. Zoo Biology, 43(5), 405-415. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21846

IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group. (n.d.). Papuan Hornbill. https://iucnhornbills.org/papuan-hornbill/

Jong, H. N. (2022). Papua: Deforestation for palm oil and paper industries on the rise. Rainforest Rescue. https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/updates/10909/papua-deforestation-for-palm-oil-and-paper-industries-on-the-rise

Papua Paradise. (2020). Kokomo: the Incredible Hornbills of Raja Ampat. https://www.papuaparadise.com/news/kokomo-the-incredible-hornbills-of-raja-ampat/

Ramel, G. (2025). Papuan Hornbills (Rhyticeros plicatus) Information. Earth Life. https://earthlife.net/papuan-hornbills/

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Blyth’s hornbill. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blyth%27s_hornbill

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