When this species is foraging other small hornbill species tend not to feed at the same level on the tree. They remain dependent on the parents for the first six months of their life. She will then work with the male to provide food to the chick for another 50 days till it too can emerge.įledging takes place between 78 and 80 days after hatching. Typically only a single egg is laid but two is possible.ģ0 days after the chick has hatched the female breaks the seal and leaves before resealing it. Through this the male will pass her food for the length of the 30 day incubation period. Once the female has laid her egg she will seal the opening with mud and fruit leaving only a small opening. Rhinoceros hornbills form their nest in a hollow within the tree. Males court the female by bringing her food.Įgg laying can take place at various times throughout the year including January, March to June, September and November. This species is monogamous with pairs remaining together for life. Their long sharp bill is used to pick up and control their food. The rhinoceros hornbill will disperse seeds from their food through the forest as they travel around. Rhinoceros hornbills are omnivores with their diet including fruits, insects, lizards, amphibians, small birds and eggs. They have a wingspan of up to 150cm (59in) across. Rhinoceros hornbills have black legs and feet.Ī rhinoceros hornbill will measure 80-90cm (31.5-35.4in) long. These are protected by long eyelashes which are made from feathers. They have red eyes which are surrounded by a white ring in females and a red or orange ring for males. The beak will be colored orangish-red by an oil which is exuded from a gland under the tail. Their bill and the casque are colored a creamy-white with black at the base. It may serve to amplify their call or help to communicate their gender and age to other birds.Īcross the majority of their body the rhinoceros hornbill is colored black with the vent and thighs having white feathers. Scientists are yet to agree on the purpose of the casque. The casque is formed from a thin layer of skin and bone which sits over a honeycomb structure. Their casque turns up at the end giving it a resemblance to a rhinoceros horn. Following their late afternoon meal, the pair duets – loud, prehistoric honks that gradually evolve into raucous laughter – and takes flight, gliding off into the evening.The rhinoceros hornbill is named for the large projection which rests on top of the bill and is known as the casque. The pair has picked this particular fig tree to feed on abundant fruits that are produced at this time of year. With a wingspan of over four feet, black plumage with a banded black-and-white tail - and the most distinctive feature of all - a big bill with scarlet and yellow casque curling upwards, these are Rhinoceros Hornbills. Suddenly, a massive shape gliding into the top of a nearby fig tree grabs your attention, followed shortly by a second figure. The steady drone of cicadas signals that the afternoon will soon be over, the day transitioning to night. Various cryptic songbirds such as bulbuls and babblers vocalize from somewhere unseen. Gargantuan trees with names such as Shorea and Dipterocarpus tower towards the sky. You’re here in the Danum Valley, deep in the wilds of Borneo. Picture yourself for a moment in a steamy rainforest in southeast Asia.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |