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.The Photographer faces her model. She was very grateful for the attendants advice to don an fencing mask before entering the bird's glass house. October 11, 1941. (Photo by Nina Leen, Pix Publishing Inc.).