The Hornbill and The Photographer To take pictures of a Coneave-casqued hornbill at the New York Zoological Park the photographer had to don a fencing mask as the temper of this spectacular bird is far from even, and its large, dagger-like bill a formidable weapon. The hornbillis at home in southwestern India, the Himalayas, and the Malay Peninsula. It reaches a length of nearly five feet. The colors of its plumage are black, white, and pale yellow, the beak and "helmet" are pale orange.He looks at the camera from all sides as the photographer prepares to go into action. He wonders whether that black thing is something to eat. October 11, 1941. (Photo by Nina Leen, Pix Publishing Inc.).