Knobbed Hornbill(Rhyticeros cassidix)
They are also known as Sulawesi wrinkled hornbill, is a colourful hornbill native to Indonesia. The knobbed hornbill is the faunal symbol of South Sulawesi province. This is a large black hornbill with a yellow bill, white tail feathers, pale blue skin around eye, blackish feet and bare dark blue throat. The male has rufous/buff face and neck, orange-red eyes, and a high red casque on the top of his bill. The female has a black face and neck, a yellow casque, and brownish eyes
Habitat
An Indonesian endemic, the knobbed hornbill is found in Sulawesi, Buton, Lembeh, Togian and Muna Island. It inhabits evergreen forest at an elevation of up to 1,800 m and also makes use of secondary forest, woodland and plantations for foraging. The species inhabits evergreen forest up to 1,800 m asl, especially in lowalnds below 1,100 m asl, where it extends into patches of secondary forest, woodland and plantations to forage.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fruit, but also on animals, including insects, bird eggs and nestlings. It forages mainly in the canopy, even plucking off fruits in flight. Also digs in soft wood. Chases off other birds and primates at feeding sites. In Gorontalo, Sulawesi.
Breeding
As with other hornbills, the knobbed hornbill is believed to be monogamous. Breeding season spans 27–30 weeks and appears to be triggered by a dramatic reduction in rainfall. The female seals itself inside a tree hole for egg-laying using its own feces. During this time, the male will provide foods for the female and the young through a slit in the seal.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, they are classed as Vulnerable(VU). The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be locally very common. The population is suspected to be declining rapidly owing to ongoing habitat destruction (16.9% forest loss per ten years during 1985-1997; 36.1% loss per ten years during 1997-2001 on Sulawesi and hunting for food, gold mining and fires.
Threats
The species is threatened with habitat destruction, with forest on Sulawesi being lost at a rate of 16.9% per ten years during 1985-1997; and 36.1% per ten years during 1997-2001. The species's specialised breeding requirements (including dependence on large trees) makes them particularly vulnerable to forest loss and degradation. Hunting is a serious threat, as well as gold mining and fires (following exceptional fires in 1997, fieldwork showed a significant drop in breeding success and population recruitment in subsequent years).
Conservation
Conservation measures underway
None is known
Conservation measures proposed
Conduct further surveys to clarify its current distribution and status. Monitor trends in the population. Protect remaining extensive tracts of forest, extend existing protected areas where appropriate, and strictly control hunting in protected areas. Lobby for improved logging practices that leave patches of old growth or large trees. Design and implement hornbill conservation programmes aimed at reducing hunting levels.