Great hornbills are arboreal and live mainly in wet, tall, evergreen forests. Old-growth trees that extend beyond the height of the canopy are preferred for nesting. The height of the tree and the presence of a natural cavity large enough to hold a female and her eggs are more important than the type of tree. The same nesting site is used year after year if possible. They are known to inhabit elevations of 600 to 2000 m.

Breeding intervalGreat Hornbills breed once a year.

Breeding seasonBreeding occurs between February and May.

Range eggs per season1 to 2

Average eggs per season2

Range time to hatching38 to 40 days

Average time to independence15 weeks