Chester Zoo Hornbills at Chester since 1978

bongorob

bongorob

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
As of 1st January 1978 Chester Zoo held 6 hornbills of 5 species

Writhe-billed Hornbill (Aceros leucocephalus) 1 (Listed as Red-billed Wrinkled Hornbill) (arrived 1976)
Indian Pied Hornbill (Acanthroceros albirostris) 0.1 (arrived 1974)
Black Hornbill (Acanthroceros malayanus) 1 (arrived 1974)
Great Indian Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) 0.2 (arrived 1960s)
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus) 1.0 (arrived 1974)

The Indian Pied Hornbill was listed as Acanthroceros malabaricus, this name is now invalid and the species now has the name Acanthroceros albirostris, with the common name Oriental Pied Hornbill. Acanthroceros coronatus has also been called the Indian Pied Hornbill but is usually known as the Malabar Pied Hornbill. It's very confusing.

The ground hornbill spent the summer months in one of the pens to the east of the monkey house, where the spider monkey enclosure now is. I also saw him in the parrot house.

One female Indian Pied Hornbill arrived in 1978

The Black Hornbill and a female Great Indan Hornbill died in 1978

Hornbills at Chester 1st January 1979 ( = 31st December 1978)

Writhe-billed Hornbill 1
Indian Pied Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill 1.0

Hornbills at Chester 1st January 1980 (= 31st December 1979)

Writhe-billed Hornbill 1
Indian Pied Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill 1.0

The female Indian Pied Hornbill died in 1980 and the Writhe-billed Hornbill left the collection.

Hornbills at Chester 1st January 1981 (= 31st December 1980)

Indian Pied Hornbill 1.0
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill 1.0

A Great Indian Hornbill arrived during 1981 and was sent to another collection. Probably because it was not compatible with the other bird)

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1982 (= 31st December 1981)

Malabar Pied Hornbill 1.0
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill 1.0

The 1982 report is hard to understand. Apparently the bird previously referred to as an Indian Pied Hornbill is now listed as a Malabar Pied Hornbill (Acanthroceros coronatus). This specimen died during 1982 but no scientifdic names are included in the stock list.

An arrival in 1982 was listed as 0.1 Indian Pied Hornbill. At the end of 1982 Chester kept 3 hornbills of 3 species.
 
Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1983 (= 31 st December 1982)

Indian Pied Hornbill 1.0
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill 1.0

The female Indian Pied Hornbill is now listed as a male.

The male Abyssinian Ground Hornbill left the zoo.

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1984 (= 31st December 1983)

Indian Pied Hornbill 0.1
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1

The Indian Pied Hornbill has reverted back to a female, maybe it was a printing error.

3 Red-billed Hornbills (Tockus erythrorhynchus) and 1.0 Great IndianHornbill arrived in 1984. One of these died, as did the female Indian Pied Hornbill.

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1985 (= 31st December 1984)

Red-billed Hornbill 1.0.1
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1985
South African Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasutus epirhinus) 1.2
Trumpeter Hornbill (Bycnistes bucinator) 1.1

Two Great Indian Hornbill chicks were hatched but did not survive. This was the first Hornbill breeding at Chester Zoo, and was only the second breeding of this species in the UK.

One unsexed Red-billed Hornbill died.

At the end of 1985 Chester held 8 hornbills of 4 species, the hornbill collection was beginning to expand.
 
Last edited:
When did they get the new writhe-billed hornbills? Have you seen the new zoo plans? They have ground hornbills mentioned on them.
 
Last edited:
I've not seen the zoos expansion plans. I only know the zoo is sponsoring conservation for wild ground hornbills. The new Writhe-billed Hornbills have been at the zoo for a while. I can't remember when they arrived, but I'll get round to posting the info.

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1986 (= 31st December 1985)

African Grey Hornbill 1.2
Red-billed Hornbill 1.0
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1986
Red-billed Hornbill 0.1
Wrinkled Hornbil (Aceros corrugatus) 1.1

died 1986
Great Indian Hornbill 1.0

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1987 (= 31st December 1986)

African Grey Hornbill 1.2
Red-billed Hornbill 1.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1

arrivals 1987
Great Indian Hornbill 1.0

deaths 1987
Red-billed Hornbill 1.0

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1988 (= 31st December 1987)

African Grey Hornbill 1.2
Red-billed Hornbill 1.0
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1

arrivals 1988
Red-billed Hornbill 1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros silvestris) 1.1

hatched 1988
South African Grey Hornbill 0.2.2 first UK breeding

died 1988
South African Grey Hornbill 2
 
Is that the pair of Rhinoceras hornbills that bred last year? Isis says they have 1.1.1. Where did the other chick go and why aren't the parents in the tropical realm? They have not been on my last 2 visits.
 
Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1989 (31st December 1988)

South African Grey Hornbill 1.4
Red-billed Hornbill 1.0.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1989
Red-billed Hornbill 0.1

hatched 1989
South African Grey Hornbill 1.2
Trumpeter Hornbill 2 first UK breeding

died 1989
South African Grey Hornbill 0.1

disposals 1989
Red-billed Hornbill 1

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1990 (= 31st December 1989)

South African Grey Hornbill 2.5
Red-billed Hornbill 1.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1990
South African Grey Hornbill 1.0

hatched 1990
South African Grey Hornbill 1 did not survive
Trumpeter Hornbill 2

disposals 1990
South African Grey Hornbill 1.0
Trumpeter Hornbill 4

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1991 (= 31st December 1990)

South African Grey Hornbill 2.5
Red-billed Hornbill 1.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1991
South African Grey Hornbill 1.0

hatched 1991
South African Grey Hornbill 4 (1 did not survive)
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 2 (did not survive) first UK breeding

died 1991
Red-billed Hornbill 1.0
Javan Rhinceros Hornbill 1.0

disposals 1991
South African Grey Hornbill 1.2.2
Red-billed Hornbill 0.1

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1992(= 31st December 1991)

South African Grey Hornbill 2.3.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 2.2
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 0.1

arrivals 1992
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.0

hatched 1992
South African Grey Hornbill 6
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 3 (1 did not survive)

died 1992
Wrinkled Hornbill 2

disposals 1992
South African Grey Hornbill 0.1.3
Trumpeter Hornbil 1.1

Hornbills at Chester Zoo 1st January 1993 (= 31st December 1992)

South African Grey Hornbill 2.6
Trumpeter Hornbill 2.2
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1993
Visayan Tarictic Hornbill 1.1

hatched 1993
South African Grey Hornbill 7
Trumpeter Hornbill 3
Wrinkled Hornbill 1 (listed as Rhinoceros Hornbill in error)

died 1993
South African Grey Hornbill 1.0.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1 (listed as Rhinoceros Hornbill in error)
Visayan Tarictic Hornbill 0.1

disposals 1993
South African Grey Hornbill 0.5.6
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1.3

Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 1994 (= 31st December 1993)

South African Grey Hornbill 1.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 2.2
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Visayan Tarictic Hornbill 1.0
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

hatched 1994
South African Grey Hornbill 2.2
Trumpeter Hornbill 3

died 1994
Trumpeter Hornbill 1

disposals 1994
South African Grey Hornbill 0.2
Visayan Tarictic Hornbill 1.0

Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 1995 (= 31st December 1994)

South African Grey Hornbill 3.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1.2
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1995
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

hatched 1995
South African Grey Hornbill 3 (1 did not survive)
Trumpeter Hornbill 1
Wrinkled hornbill 1.3

disposals 1995
South African Grey Hornbill 2.0
Trumpeter Hornbill 2
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 0.1

Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 1996 (= 31st December 1995)

South African Grey Hornbill 3.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.2
Wrinkled Hornbill 2.4
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1996
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1

hatched 1996
South African Grey Hornbill 1 did not survive
Trumpeter Hornbill 2
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.0

disposals 1996
South African Grey Hornbill 2.0
Trumpeter Hornbill 0.1.2
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.3
 
Last edited:
Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 1997 (= 31st December 1996)

South African Grey Hornbill 1.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.2 (listed as 2.1 1996)
Great Indian Hornbill 1.2
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1997
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.0
Red-billed Hornbill 1

hatched 1997
South African Grey Hornbill 2 (1 did noit survive)
Trumpeter Hornbill 2 did not survive
Wrinkled Hornbill 2 (1 did not survive)

died 1997
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.0

Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 1998 (= 31st December 1997)

South African Grey Hornbill 1.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.2
Great Indian Hornbill 1.2
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrived 1998
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 0.1

hatched 1998
Trumpeter Hornbill 1 (did not survive)

died 1998
Wrinkled Hornbill 0.1

disposals 1998
South African Grey Hornbill 1.1
Trumpeter Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 0.1
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1

Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 1999 (= 31st December 1998)

Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 2.2
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 1999
Writhe-billed Hornbill 1.1

hatched 1999
Wrinkled Hornbill 0.2.1

disposals 1999
Wrinkled Hornbill 1
 
Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 2000 (= 31st December 1999)

Wrinkled Hornbill 1.3
Writhe-billed Hornbill 1.1
Great Indian Hornbill 2.2
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrivals 2000
Wrinkled Hornbill 0.1
Visayan Taricitic Hornbill 0.1

died 2000
Wrinkled Hornbill 0.1

disposals 2000
Wrinkled Hornbill 0.2

Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 2001 (=31st December 2000)

Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Writhe-billed Hornbill 1.1
Visayan Tarictic Hornbill 0.1
Great Indian Hornbill 2.2
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

arrived 2001
Polillo Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopoides manillae subniger) 1.0

hatched 2001
Tarictic Hornbill 2.2 hybrids

disposals 2001
Tarictic Hornbill 0.1

The male Tarictic Hornbill which arrived was at first thought to be a member of the Visayan species, but it is now thought to be a Polillo Tarictic Hornbill. The existing female is probably a hybrid.

Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 2002 (= 31st December 2001)

Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Writhe-billed Hornbill 1.1
Tarictic Hornbill 3.2
Great Indian Hornbill 2.2
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

hatched 2002
Great Indian Hornbill 0.1

disposals 2002
Tarictic Hornbill 1.1

Chester Zoo Hornbills 1st January 2003 (=31st January 2002)

Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Writhe-billed Hornbill 1.1
Tarictic Hornbill 2.1
Great Indian Hornbill 2.3
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1

hatched 2003
Great Indian Hornbill 2 (1 did not survive)

disposals 2003
Tarictic Hornbill 1.0
 
Thats some great info. I can follow it from now on, on the zoos website. Is their current Taricitc male a poillio race hornbill. He is a very dull bird. I know the female is definitly a Hybrid.
 
Last edited:
Chester Zoo hornbills

Quote from writhedhornbill

Thats some great info. I can follow it from now on, on the zoos website. Is their current Taricitc male a poillio race hornbill. He is a very dull bird. I know the female is definitly a Hybrid.

Don't know how to do quotes so I''ve pasted it instead.

The identification of the male Tarictic Hornbill is a guess by Roger Wilkinson. He only though it looked like that subspecies, he couldn't really tell. It may be the case that he is also a hybrid. I hate him. Each time I approach the aviary his only thought seems to be how quickly can he kill me. I keep well away from the wire. Strangely he does not do this with other visitors. I'll continue with thi list for the benefit of other members. I don''t know what happened to the missing rhinoceros hornbill. The parents were in the Tropical Realm whenever I've visited this year, perhaps maintenance was being carried out in the aviary when you did not see them. Last year's surviving chick is currently living next to the Snowy Owls. I don't know if Chester will be going into other hornbill species, but it would be nice if they did.
 
Writhedhornbill said:
Maybe rufous. They are brilliant and they are also from the Philippines or the sulawesi wrinkled. Thats a beautiful bird!
Click to expand...
They are getting Ground Hornbills within the next 6 months as for the species not sure but would thimk it would be Southern as their are quite a few about.
 
What a co-incidence Hornbill, I was going to finish off the list of hornbills today, something I decided to do last night before I knew the thread was active agian. I'm also going to post the history of babirusa at Jersey. All I need to do is to remember which thread to put it in. Then I'll see about the other things you asked me about some months back, I think one was storks at Chester. Recently I've put all my time into the old species at Chester survey.
 
Hornbills at Chester Zoo from 2004

1st January 2004

Great Indian Hornbill 2.3.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Writhed Hornbill 1.1
Tarictic Hornbill 1.1

died during 2004
Great Hornbill 0.1

exported during 2004
Great Hornbill 1.0

1st January 2005
Great Indian Hornbill 2.2
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Writhed Hornbill 1.1
Tarictic Hornbill 1.1

died during 2005
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.0

exported during 2005
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1

1st January 2006
Great Indian Hornbill 1.1
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 0.1
Writhed Hornbill 1.1
Tarictic Hornbill 1.1

arrived during 2006
Great Hornbill 1.1
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.0

bred during 2006
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 2 (a first European breeding)

1st January 2007
Great Indian Hornbill 2.2
Javan Rhinoceros Hornbill 1.1.2
Wrinkled Hornbill 1.1
Writhed Hornbill 1.1
Tarictic Hornbill 1.1

4.4 Visayan Tarictic Hornbills arrived in July 2007. These are pure bred specimens.
 
I would hope in the maned wolves old enclosure. Maybe in the spare paddock near the rhinos...... African theme going on around there, that they'd fit quite well with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top