Rhinoceros Hornbill, Malaysia

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Rhinoceros hornbills are large forest birds that grow to roughly 50 inches (1.27 meters) in length and have a wingspan of up to 70 inches (1.8 meters). They are found in Borneo, Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, and southern Thailand. Rhinoceros hornbills can live up to 35 years in captivity. Some native tribes of the region believe the rhinoceros hornbill to be the chief of all worldly birds. It is easy to see why.

The rhinoceros hornbill faces threats that include loss of its rainforest habitat in addition to hunting for its meat, skull and feathers. Habitat destruction has led to the loss of large old trees with nesting cavities that the hornbills require for breeding. That makes them easier for poachers to find.