Kennara

Basic Information

Anatomy

Short beak with a distinct downward curve (Anorrhinus austeni, Rhabdotorhinus exarhatus, Rhyticeros narcondami). Males have fairly distinctive casques on their forehead like hornbills while females have more subtle ones. Both have blue wattles covering their faces like ground hornbills. They have large iridescent crests like hoopoes and woodhoopoes but most of their feathers are black.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

A Kennara's appearance varies depending on their place of birth. Kennaras from Vattar in northern Mahibram have mostly gray and black crests and beaks and the men's casque forms a small downward facing point. They resemble Indian Gray Hornbills the most (Ocyceros birostris). Further south, the Kennaras of Narusam have orange crests, brighter wattles and their beaks are white near the tip and red near the base. They casques are also somewhat larger and rougher in texture. They are most similar to Narcondam Hornbills (Rhyticeros narcondami). Along the coast and across the islands of the Simagil Sea, Kennara have bright yellow beaks and their crests are streaked with white, yellow and iridescent black feathers.They exhibit the largest casques of all Kennaras and resemble Great Hornbills (Buceros bicornis). Inthe southern hills of Khalabh, Kennara have black and white crests with a few shades of iridescent blue and bright red beaks. Their casques donot protrude forward like other Kennara and they most resemble Red Billed Hornbills (Tockus kempi).