Zoo database

Rhinoceros hornbill

Buceros rhinoceros

Natural diet Rhinoceros hornbill

Fruits
Insects
Vertebrates

The rhinoceros hornbill is an omnivorous bird species that primarily feeds on fruits, with figs in particular. Next to this, it consumes insects, small vertebrates and occasionally carrion.

Feeding advice Rhinoceros hornbill

Feed quantity per day

5-15% of body weight

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 2.5 kg and eats 10% of its body weight, it will get

2.5 x 0.1 = 0.25 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

5% Insects and other invertebrates
50% Concentrates
40% Other vegetables
5% Fruits

Proportions (fresh product)

0.05 x 0.25 kg = 12.5 g insects and other invertebrates
0.5 x 0.25 kg = 125 g concentrates
0.4 x 0.25 kg = 100 g other vegetables
0.05 x 0.25 kg = 12.5 g fruits

Diet suggestions

In moderation

Variety of fruits

Variety of insects

Not recommended

Dog pellets

Sugar-rich fruits

Citrus fruits

Bread

Additional advice

Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
Insoluble grit is not required if they go outside, as they will ingest small stones (read more about grit).
Rhinoceros hornbills are sensitive to iron. Therefore, iron-rich products or diet components that increase iron retention in the liver (e.g. citrus fruits high in vitamin C) should be avoided.
Avoid feeding bread and other high starch products as this may cause gastro-intestinal disturbances.
Although present in their natural diets, feeding high levels of fruits might lead to gastro-intestinal disturbances because of the high sugar level and low fiber level in cultivated fruits compared to wild fruits (read more about nutritional values of (wild) fruits and vegetables).
Stimulate foraging behaviour by using feeding puzzles and scatter feeding (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

Iron storage disease
Obesity
Beak deformities

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

T16 softbill maintenance

T20 softbill breeder

Handfeeding Ramphastid

Wisbroek Softbill Diet Large

Denise Flemming

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