Helmeted Hornbill Skull is a photograph by Natural History Museum, London/science Photo Library which was uploaded on October 6th, 2019.
Helmeted Hornbill Skull
Helmeted hornbill skull, source of hornbill ivory. The helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) is found on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. It... more
Title
Helmeted Hornbill Skull
Artist
Natural History Museum, London/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph
Description
Helmeted hornbill skull, source of hornbill ivory. The helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) is found on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. It has a long curved bill and a large helmet-like structure on its head called a casque. The external (top) and internal (bottom) structure of this specimen's skull and bill show that the casque has a solid portion at the front, with bracing bone struts behind it. The eye sockets are also visible. The solid portion of the casque consists of hornbill ivory ('golden jade', actually keratin), a material historically used for carving, particularly in China. An illegal trade in this material threatens the long-term survival of this hornbill.
Uploaded
October 6th, 2019
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