Aceros

Aceros is a genus of hornbills in the family Bucerotidae, found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The genus is relatively small and has historically included several hornbill species; current classifications place it within the wider hornbill radiation of Bucerotiformes, with relationships refined by recent molecular studies. Members of Aceros are large birds characterized by a long, curved bill with a prominent casque. Plumage is typically dark above with lighter or bare facial skin, and the extent of sexual dimorphism varies among species.

Geographic range and habitat: They inhabit tropical rainforest and woodland edges from the Malay Peninsula through Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and surrounding islands, often favoring undisturbed forest canopies but sometimes occurring in secondary growth and logged areas.

Diet and behavior: Their diet is omnivorous, dominated by fruit such as figs, with supplemental ingestion of small animals, insects, and seeds. They are generally diurnal and occur in pairs or small family groups. Like other hornbills, many species nest in tree cavities; the female enters the cavity and is sealed inside by a wall formed from mud or food remains, while the male incubates and feeds her and later the nestlings through a narrow opening.

Reproduction and conservation: Reproduction is typically tied to seasonal fruiting. Habitat loss and fragmentation threaten many Aceros populations, and several species have restricted ranges or small populations, leading to IUCN listings ranging from Near Threatened to Endangered. Conservation relies on protecting habitat, reducing poaching, and forest restoration.

Taxonomy: The taxonomic status of Aceros has fluctuated as genetic data are integrated. Some hornbill species formerly placed in Aceros have been reassessed into other genera, leaving Aceros as a smaller, more distinct lineage within Bucerotidae.