From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The
rhinoceros hornbill (
Buceros rhinoceros) is a large species of forest
hornbill (
Bucerotidae). In captivity it can live for up to 35 years. It is found in lowland and montane, tropical and subtropical climates and in mountain
rain forests up to 1,400 metres in
Borneo,
Sumatra,
Java, the
Malay Peninsula,
Singapore, and southern
Thailand.
[1]
The rhinoceros hornbill is the state bird of the
Malaysian state of
Sarawak and the country's
National Bird.
[2] Some
Dayak people, especially the Ibanic groups, believe it to be the chief of worldly birds or the supreme worldly bird, and its statue is used to welcome the god of the augural birds, Sengalang Burong, to the feasts and celebrations of humankind. Contrary to some misunderstandings, the rhinoceros hornbill does not represent their war god, who is represented in this world by the
brahminy kite.
[3][4]