# Helmeted hornbill > A forest hornbill with long central tail feathers and a solid casque. Hunting for casque trade makes habitat protection and reduced demand particularly important. Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/helmeted-hornbill/ · Updated 7 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/rangkong-gading/ _This Markdown mirror is generated at build time from the same data as the HTML page. Cite the HTML page URL and its update date._ **Review status:** Approved by team on 2026-10-07. Approval covers this version’s narrative, facts, quick answers and recorded locations in both languages. ## Quick answer The helmeted hornbill (*Rhinoplax vigil*) is a bird in the family Bucerotidae. Range in Indonesia: Sumatra and Kalimantan. Diet: fruit, especially figs; a omnivore. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018). | Fact | Value | |---|---| | Scientific name | *Rhinoplax vigil* | | Former scientific name | *Buceros vigil* | | Indonesian name | Rangkong gading | | Group | Birds | | Family | Bucerotidae | | Range in Indonesia | Sumatra and Kalimantan | | Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) | | Important food | Fruit, especially figs | | Indonesian range | Sumatra and Kalimantan | | IUCN status | Critically Endangered · [IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group — Helmeted hornbill](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/) · assessment 2020 | | Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · [Regulation P.106/2018](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) · annex no. 248 | | Size | 110–127 cm long plus central tail feathers of 30–45 cm; males about 3.1 kg, females 2.6–2.8 kg · [IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group — Helmeted Hornbill](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/) | | Feeding | Besides figs, it spends about half the day hunting animal prey such as rodents, reptiles and nestlings · [IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group — Helmeted Hornbill](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/) | | Diet type | Omnivore (eats plants and animals) — mainly figs, but also hunts small animals (squirrels, snakes, birds) · [IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/) | | Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group](https://iucnhornbills.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/HelmetedHornbill_actionplan_final_LR.pdf) | | Active | Diurnal (active by day) — Calls throughout the day. · [Kennedy et al. 2023, Evidence for acoustic niche partitioning depends on the temporal scale in two sympatric Bornean hornbill species - Biotropica (abstract via Europe PMC)](https://europepmc.org/article/AGR/IND607958200) | ## Recognising shape and sound Long central tail feathers and a relatively short bill help identify helmeted hornbills. Bare neck skin differs in colour between males and females. Use an identification guide covering all features, because a close-up of the casque alone can lose species context. Evidence: [Cornell Lab eBird — Helmeted hornbill](https://ebird.org/species/helhor1) · [IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group — Helmeted hornbill](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/) ## Extensive forest and fruiting trees The IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group describes this species using extensive primary rainforest and adjacent closed secondary forest. Figs are important food. Protecting an isolated group of trees does not replace the forest landscape through which birds move to feed. Evidence: [IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group — Helmeted hornbill](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/) ## Sundaic does not mean every island Its Indonesian range includes Sumatra and Kalimantan; the hornbill specialist group reports it absent from Java. Check location records before using them to plan visits. A photograph at a care centre does not establish a local wild range. Evidence: [IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group — Helmeted hornbill](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/) ## A solid casque drives trade TRAFFIC documents hunting for carvable casques, often called hornbill ivory. This material comes from a bird, rather than an elephant tusk. Avoid carvings, body parts, or collectibles marketed this way, even when sellers use a heritage story. Evidence: [TRAFFIC — Helmeted hornbill trade](https://www.traffic.org/what-we-do/species/helmeted-hornbills/) ## Share information without helping hunters Trade also takes place through online platforms. Report suspected offers through appropriate channels without transacting or confronting sellers. For wild observations, share habitat and behaviour stories without nest coordinates or sensitive locations that could make hunting easier. Evidence: [TRAFFIC — Helmeted hornbill trade](https://www.traffic.org/what-we-do/species/helmeted-hornbills/) · [American Birding Association — Code of Birding Ethics](https://www.aba.org/aba-code-of-birding-ethics/) ## Scientific classification of the Helmeted hornbill | Rank | Name | |---|---| | Kingdom | Animalia | | Phylum | Chordata | | Class | Aves | | Order | Bucerotiformes | | Family | Bucerotidae | | Genus | *Rhinoplax* | | Species | *Rhinoplax vigil* | Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c) ## Common questions about the helmeted hornbill ### What is the scientific name of the helmeted hornbill? The scientific name of the helmeted hornbill is *Rhinoplax vigil*, in the family Bucerotidae. In Indonesian it is called Rangkong gading. A former scientific name still often used: *Buceros vigil*. ### What kind of animal is the helmeted hornbill? The helmeted hornbill is a bird in the family Bucerotidae. By diet it is a omnivore (eats plants and animals): a mainly figs, but also hunts small animals (squirrels, snakes, birds). ### Where does the helmeted hornbill live in Indonesia? In Indonesia, this guide records the helmeted hornbill in: Sumatra and Kalimantan. Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/). ### What does the helmeted hornbill eat? Diet of the helmeted hornbill (important food): fruit, especially figs. That makes it a omnivore (eats plants and animals). Source: [IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/). ### How does the helmeted hornbill reproduce? The helmeted hornbill reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). The female seals herself in a nest cavity and depends on food from the male during breeding; nesting duration varies between sites. Source: [IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group](https://iucnhornbills.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/HelmetedHornbill_actionplan_final_LR.pdf). ### Is the helmeted hornbill nocturnal? The cited source records the helmeted hornbill as diurnal (active by day). Calls throughout the day. Source: [Kennedy et al. 2023, Evidence for acoustic niche partitioning depends on the temporal scale in two sympatric Bornean hornbill species - Biotropica (abstract via Europe PMC)](https://europepmc.org/article/AGR/IND607958200). See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/). ### What are the main features of the helmeted hornbill? Key features of the helmeted hornbill, from this guide’s sources: Size: 110–127 cm long plus central tail feathers of 30–45 cm; males about 3.1 kg, females 2.6–2.8 kg. ### How big is the helmeted hornbill? Size: 110–127 cm long plus central tail feathers of 30–45 cm; males about 3.1 kg, females 2.6–2.8 kg. Source: [IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group — Helmeted Hornbill](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/). ### What is the scientific classification of the helmeted hornbill? Scientific classification of the helmeted hornbill: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Bucerotiformes, family Bucerotidae, genus *Rhinoplax*, species *Rhinoplax vigil*. Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology. ### Is the helmeted hornbill endangered? Yes. The global conservation status of the helmeted hornbill: Critically Endangered (assessment or source update 2020). In the IUCN system, this category means it is considered to face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: [IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group — Helmeted hornbill](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/). This global category is separate from national legal protection. [Is the helmeted hornbill protected in Indonesia?](#protected) ### Is the helmeted hornbill protected in Indonesia? Yes. The helmeted hornbill (*Rhinoplax vigil*) is a protected species in Indonesia under [Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) (annex, entry 248). Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests. If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the [local BKSDA office](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/). ### Can the helmeted hornbill be kept as a pet? No. Because the helmeted hornbill is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited. If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the [local BKSDA office](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/). ## Sources & references 1. [Cornell Lab eBird — Helmeted hornbill](https://ebird.org/species/helhor1) 2. [IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group — Helmeted hornbill](https://iucnhornbills.org/helmeted-hornbill/) 3. [TRAFFIC — Helmeted hornbill trade](https://www.traffic.org/what-we-do/species/helmeted-hornbills/) 4. [American Birding Association — Code of Birding Ethics](https://www.aba.org/aba-code-of-birding-ethics/) 5. [Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) 6. [IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group](https://iucnhornbills.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/HelmetedHornbill_actionplan_final_LR.pdf) 7. [Kennedy et al. 2023, Evidence for acoustic niche partitioning depends on the temporal scale in two sympatric Bornean hornbill species - Biotropica (abstract via Europe PMC)](https://europepmc.org/article/AGR/IND607958200) 8. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c) ## Further reading [Helmeted hornbill: facts, threats and conservation](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/helmeted-hornbill/) — World Animal Rescue Network. _Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network._ ## Keep exploring - [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) - [Sumatran orangutan](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/sumatran-orangutan/) - [Borneo Nature Foundation](https://panduanhewan.org/en/organisations/borneo-nature-foundation/) - [Forum Konservasi Leuser](https://panduanhewan.org/en/organisations/forum-konservasi-leuser/) - [Reporting Suspected Wildlife Trafficking](https://panduanhewan.org/en/emergency/report-wildlife-trade/) - [Common hill myna](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/common-hill-myna/) --- Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Helmeted hornbill. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/helmeted-hornbill/