White-Crowned Hornbill(Berenicornis comatus)
They are a large hornbill, reaching a length of 83–102 centimetres and a weight of 1.3–1.5 kilograms. Females are smaller than males. The plumage is black and white. The head, neck, breast and tail are white, while the remaining plumage is black. It has a white crown feathers erected in a crest (hence the common name). Between the eye and the bill and on the throat there is bare dark blue skin. The bill is mainly black, with a yellowish base. Like most hornbills, it has a blackish casque on the top if its bill. The female has a black neck and underparts.
Habitat
The white-crowned hornbill inhabits the forest of Southeast Asia including Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, India and Indonesia, specifically in Sumatra and Kalimantan. They live in small to large groups, often found in primary forest, lowland forest, oil palm plantation and cocoa plantation. One group’s territory may span over an area of 10 km2.
Diet
If they come across a fruiting tree, white-crowned hornbills may gather in a group of up to 20 birds. White-crowned hornbills prefer lipid-rich fruits like nutmeg, and sometimes cocoa. Animal food include lizards, snakes, larvae and insects.
Breeding
In the breeding season, white-crowned hornbills are assisted by 1-3 other birds. These “guards” will protect their territory with their calls and fend off against any signs of threats. In Kalimantan, these hornbills lay their eggs in December-January. In one breeding period a pair usually successfully raise one chick only.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, they are classed as Endangered(EN). The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it has been described as generally uncommon. An analysis of forest loss from 2000-2012 estimated forest loss within the species's range at a rate equivalent to 49.6% across three generation lengths (57 years). Whilst the species may be tolerant of some habitat degradation, it is also threatened by hunting, and its rate of population decline is thus likely to fall in the band 50-79% across three generations. Since this species has a long generation length, with three generations stretching over 57 years, we have insufficient evidence to calculate the magnitude of reduction over the past three generations. Assuming the recent rate of decline remains constant, the species is projected to decline by 50-79% over the next three generations.
Threats
Rates of forest loss in the lowlands of Indonesia have been extremely rapid, owing partly to the escalation of illegal logging and land conversion, with deliberate targeting of all remaining stands of valuable timber including those inside protected areas. Forest fires have also had a damaging effect. The magnitude of these threats could have been allayed by this species's tolerance of hill forest, which is under less pressure from logging and agricultural conversion. An analysis of forest loss from 2000-2012 estimated forest loss within the species's range at a rate equivalent to 49.6% across three generation lengths. The species is also threatened by hunting and may be taken as bycatch by hunters targeting Helmeted Hornbill.
Conservation
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES II listed.
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Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor populations across the species's range to determine the magnitude of declines and rates of range contraction. Conduct studies to determine habitat associations and relative abundance in hill forest. Campaign for the protection of remaining tracts of lowland forest throughout the species's range.