The Indian grey hornbill (Scopoli ) is found in most parts of India, from the Himalayan foothills, southwards through the Indian peninsula, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Habitat includes deciduous forests, woodlands, thorn forest, can be also seen in city gardens, plantations and parks. As NEERI Support rich urban forest it is sighted in the NEERI Colony .Usually seen in the plains up to 600 m, but reported up to 1400 m in the Himalayan foothills.

They eat a variety of fruits (mainly figs), and also termites and other insects, small reptile and rodents and, sometimes flowers. One study established that it ate 22 fruit species. The breeding system in the species is from March to June, rearing 2 or 3 chicks. Eggs are laid in Feb or May-June (clutch of 2-5 eggs). Female seals with faeces and pulp, male bring mud. The incubation period is 21 days, fledging period is at least 45 days, but the female emerges about 1-4 weeks before chicks. Average 66 days for female incarceration.

Call is a variety of squealing and cackling notes and some short piping sounds. One of their calls is a shrill "wheee"; the other is a cackling "k-k-k-ka-e". Dhanesh is the common name in hindi and Bhinas in Marathi. They are also known to dust-bathe. Widespread across the subcontinent with a large range and common in many areas. Adaptable species able to survive in human-modified habitats, although optimal habitat may have declined in some parts of range. Global population believed to be stable and substantial.