Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill

The Sri Lanka grey hornbill is a widespread and common gregarious endemic of forest habitats, 45 cm long. It has grey wings with black primaries, a grey back, a brown crown, a long blackish tail with white sides and white underparts. The long curved bill has no casque. The male has a cream bill, while the female's is black with a cream stripe. Its flight is slow and powerful (Wikipedia, species account).

The female lays up to four white eggs in a tree hole that is walled up during incubation with a cement of mud, droppings and fruit pulp, leaving one narrow opening just wide enough for the male to pass food to her and the chicks. It usually lives in pairs or small flocks of up to five. Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).