Mindanao Tarictic Hornbill
|
|
| Mindanao Tarictic Hornbill Conservation status: Endangered | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Penelopides affinis Tweeddale, 1877 |
The Mindanao Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides affinis) is a hornbill living in the rainforests of Maitum, Sarangani and in many parts of the island of Mindanao, Philippines. Like all hornbills, this bird is distinguished by its bill with a hollow horny "casque" on top of it. This "horn" is mainly made of keratin.
| Contents |
Other races
There are several races of this hornbill species. Many of these are now often considered to be separate species.
- P. panini = found in the islands of Panay, Negros, Masbate, & Guimaras, Philippines
- P. mindorensis = found in the island of Mindoro, Philippines
- P. manillae = found in the island of Luzon & Marinduque, Philippines
- P. subnigra = found in Pollilo, Philippines
- P. ticaensis = found in Ticao, Philippines
- P. samarensis = found in the islands of Samar, Bohol, and Leyte, Philippines
- P. basilanica = found in Basilan, Philippines
- P. exarhatus = found in Sulawesi
Measurements
- total length = 650 mm.
- wing = 245 - 260 mm.
- tail = 234 - 245 mm.
- horn base to bill tip = 95 - 108 mm.
- tarsus = 46 - 47 mm.
Habitat
Mindanao Tarictic Hornbills live in groups and frequent the canopy of rainforests. These birds are noisy and emit an incessant sound that sounds like ta-rik-tik, hence the name. Despite their noise they are difficult to find, being well camouflaged by the dense foliage.
Diet
The principal food of Mindanao Tarictic Hornbill is fruit. It also eats insects, beetles, ants and earthworms (rarely).
Status
The Mindanao Tarictic Hornbill is a highly endangered species. There has been a heavy decline in population due to hunting and loss of habitat caused by deforestation.