Austen's Brown Hornbill(Anorrhinus austeni)
They are sometimes considered as a subspecies of Tickell's brown hornbill. It is a medium-sized hornbill, brown with white-tipped tail. The male has white cheeks and throat, pale creamy bill, and rufous-brown underparts. The female has a dark head and throat. The name commemorates the naturalist Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen.
Habitat
It inhabits the deciduous and evergreen forests from lowland plains to edge of pine and oak forest in hills, but mainly in the hill forest. Can be from northeastern India and south to Vietnam and northern Thailand.
Diet
They are omnivores and feed on fruit and small animals; its diet includes many species of fruits, together with many arthropods, also bats, snakes, lizards, snails, earthworms, and chicks and eggs of other birds.
Breeding
The breeding season of the Austen's brown hornbill is during March to June in India. The laying season is during February and March in Thailand. It is a co-operative breeder, with a dominant breeding pair, male helpers and additional females. They nest in natural cavities or in old holes of the great slaty woodpecker. The Austen's brown hornbill species are non-migratory resident birds. The groups living in higher altitudes may move to lower levels during winter. Post breeding, juvenile hornbills may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding within their range.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, they are classed as Near Threatened(NT). The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it is generally scarce or rare across most of its range, and only locally common at a handful of sites. Despite a lack of data on trends, a slow to moderate decline is suspected to be occurring as a result of habitat loss and hunting pressure.
Threats
This species is threatened by forest loss through intensive shifting agriculture, widespread logging activities and road building, and because of high levels of hunting in many parts of its range.
Conservation
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in protected areas across its range, which appear to be particularly important for this species, with research indicating that the probability of habitat use outside of protected areas was lower than for sympatric hornbill species. Research on the ecology of the species has been undertaken at Khao Yai National Park in Thailand for over 20 years.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys throughout its range in order to clarify current status, especially in Myanmar and Laos. Repeat surveys and monitor populations at known sites in order to determine the magnitude of declines and rates of range contraction. Conduct ecological studies to determine habitat requirements and tolerance of secondary habitats. Assess potential risk from hunting and trapping. Grant protection to areas of suitable habitat to safeguard against logging and encroachment. Raise awareness of the species and its status in an effort to reduce hunting pressure.