PHOTO: MONJUR MORSHED

A flash of black and ivory cuts through the pale sky over Satchari National Park in Habiganj, as an oriental pied hornbill glides above the forest canopy. Native across South and Southeast Asia, this striking bird thrives in moist lowland forests, riverine edges, and even secondary growth near human settlements. Primarily frugivorous, it feeds on figs, palm fruits, and papaya, but will also take insects, small reptiles, and nestlings. A master gardener of the forest, it disperses large seeds across vast distances, quietly shaping entire forests. Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, it still faces growing threats from deforestation, hunting, and the loss of nesting trees.