Key Identification Features
- It closely resembles Von der Decken's hornbill, and is often classified as a subspecies of that species; the only distinguishing feature is the presence of dense white spots on its wing-coverts.
- When in flight, this species produces a loud, distinctive rushing noise with its wings, which has been compared to the sound of steam escaping a steam locomotive.
- Males can be identified by a dark upper mandible with a creamy-yellow mark or horizontal stripe, while females have tricolored upper mandibles tipped with red.
- Rhyticeros undulatus (Shaw, 1812), commonly called the wreathed hornbill, has distinct plumage and physical traits.
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