Homer, the wrinkled hornbill   Scientific name:   Aceros corrugatus Animal Type:   Bird Location:   The Indian Ocean islands of Anjouan Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Moheli in the Union of the Comoros Conservation Status:   Near Threatened Diet:   Fruit, small animals and insects       Homer is a beautiful, majestic bird who came to Jersey in 2001. He is an expert at juggling fruit and has no fear and regularly teases the male keepers by snapping at their ankles and dive bombing them!

Homer, the wrinkled hornbill

Homer is a beautiful, majestic bird who came to Jersey in 2001. He is an expert at juggling fruit, which he can toss in the air and catch at the end of his amazingly long beak before deciding to eat it! He also regularly teases the male keepers by snapping at their ankles and dive bombing them!

Adopt now»

Wrinkled hornbill Profile

The Wrinkled Hornbill is around 70 cm long, and has a very large bill that is fused to the skull. Males and females are easy to tell apart, as males have blue skin around their eyes and bright yellow feathers on the head and chest. They usually pair for life, using holes in trees for nests, and the female will plaster over the entrance with mud and droppings, leaving a nesting mother and her chicks only a small hole, too small for them to exit. They are fed exclusively by the male, who regurgitates food for them. After several months, when the chicks are ready, the female will break out of her nest.

These striking birds from Asia are vital to the ecology of their native forests as they are important seed dispersers. They are surprisingly adept at using their large bills to feed on fruit, insects and small animals.

Adopt now»

Threats and challenges to the wrinkled hornbill

Their Near Threatened status is due to the widespread destruction of the rainforest, the lack of suitable breeding sites and from being hunted. Although their lowland forest homes have suffered extensive destruction, particularly in Indonesia, they seem able to thrive higher up in the hills, where there is less pressure on the forests, and so overall they are not thought to be at high risk as yet. However, in Thailand these beautiful birds may already be close to extinction.

Adopt now »

Durrell's involvement with the wrinkled hornbill

Wrinkled hornbills first arrived at Durrell in 2001.  We hope that by providing nesting sites similar to the holes they use in the wild, we will soon be celebrating our first successful breeding.  The techniques we learn can then be applied to other endangered hornbill species.

Adopt now»

Adoption packs

Adopters will receive an adoption folder containing the following based on Homer, the wrinkled hornbill:

What's included Bronze Silver Gold A certificate Photograph Fact sheet Birth certificate Animal stickers Two issues of our ‘On the Edge’ magazine per year Regular news via our electronic newsletter ‘eNews’ Complimentary ticket to visit Durrell wildlife park in Jersey Your name listed on our website - Updates about your animal per year - A chance to enjoy a tour with one of our experienced volunteer tour guides, and spend time with your animal and their keeper - - All for just £3 pm £10 pm £55 pm

*Per month

Adopt now»

Where will my wrinkled hornbill donation money go?

Our dedicated conservationists can continue to work tirelessly in threatened habitats in our strategic conservation areas of islands and highlands worldwide. They will also battle to protect and conserve as much wildlife as they can.

Adopt now

Please pay for your adoption by Direct Debit if you can. Direct Debits are cheaper for us to administer, letting us spend more of your money on our vital conservation work. Direct Debits are also better for you because payments are made automatically and can be spread across the year and you won't be bothered with renewal forms. It will simply roll over until you request otherwise. However, you can make a single payment if you prefer.

Click here to view and print the direct debit payment form » » | or download it »

Or use the fom below to make a single payment...