Sulawesi's two species of hornbill demonstrate a unique example of different canopy use. The Red Knobbed Hornbill
Rhyticeros cassidix, lives and feeds in the upper canopy, while the Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill
Penelopides exarhatus, occupies the lower canopy. Both species display an interesting egg-laying habit. The male, with the female's help, uses mud to seal the female inside the selected tree hole nest, leaving just a small slit to pass food to his mate. She remains enclosed while she incubates her eggs and raises her offspring until they are able to fly. During the nesting season of July to September males work hard supplying fruit to the demanding family. Figs are a crucial food source for these birds and waiting near a fruiting tree is the easiest way to observe them. The hornbill, in turn, plays a significant role in seed dispersal for the tree.
The
Red Knobbed Hornbill, called
rangkong in indonesia and locally know as
Allo, is probably the most obvious bird in the park. Depicted on the park logo, it is common in many areas and easy to locate, with its loud, raucous call and noisy wing-beat, as it flies above the canopy. Usually existing in pairs, it often gathers in larger groups in a fruiting tree. Sporting prominent red casques,and bright blue skin in the gular area at the base of the bill (which stretches to store fruit), the males have buff-coloured heads while the females are smaller and have a glossy black heard and neck. The bird is something called
Burung tahun, the year bird. Its yellow bill has red stripes, and the bird supposedly grows ane new stripe per year. Large (104 cm), Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion; widespread and common, sometimes abundant. Inhabits primary lowland, hill and lower montane forest, and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest and remnant forest patches within extensive areas of cultivation; occasionally visits mangrove forest. Frequent the canopy. Forages in fruiting trees, often with other frugivores, including fruit pigeons, starlings and occasionally squirrels. Has been seen to drive Sulawesi Macaque from a fruiting fig tree in which the macaques were feeding. Feeds mainly on fruit (especially figs Ficus spp); also large insects,etc.
The
Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill is the samallest of the hornbills and much harder to spot. A neat yellow and black bird, it lives in kin groups and defends its territory. Breeding is from April to July and older sons help the adult male provide food for the female and offspring. A small hornbill (53 cm). Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion. Widespread and locally moderately common, especially at lower elevations. Inhabits primary lowland and hill forest, forest edge and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest. Usually in pairs or groups of up to 10 birds, occasionally singly. Noisy and active; often difficult to observe. Flies through the forest. Feeds in the mid-canopy of fruiting trees. Other name Sulawesi Hornbill.
Sulawesi's two species of hornbill demonstrate a unique example of different canopy use. The Red Knobbed Hornbill Rhyticeros cassidix, lives and feeds in the upper canopy, while the Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill Penelopides exarhatus, occupies the lower canopy. Both species display an interesting egg-laying habit. The male, with the female's help, uses mud to seal the female inside the selected tree hole nest, leaving just a small slit to pass food to his mate. She remains enclosed while she incubates her eggs and raises her offspring until they are able to fly. During the nesting season of July to September males work hard supplying fruit to the demanding family. Figs are a crucial food source for these birds and waiting near a fruiting tree is the easiest way to observe them. The hornbill, in turn, plays a significant role in seed dispersal for the tree.
The Red Knobbed Hornbill, called rangkong in indonesia and locally know as Allo, is probably the most obvious bird in the park. Depicted on the park logo, it is common in many areas and easy to locate, with its loud, raucous call and noisy wing-beat, as it flies above the canopy. Usually existing in pairs, it often gathers in larger groups in a fruiting tree. Sporting prominent red casques,and bright blue skin in the gular area at the base of the bill (which stretches to store fruit), the males have buff-coloured heads while the females are smaller and have a glossy black heard and neck. The bird is something called Burung tahun, the year bird. Its yellow bill has red stripes, and the bird supposedly grows ane new stripe per year. Large (104 cm), Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion; widespread and common, sometimes abundant. Inhabits primary lowland, hill and lower montane forest, and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest and remnant forest patches within extensive areas of cultivation; occasionally visits mangrove forest. Frequent the canopy. Forages in fruiting trees, often with other frugivores, including fruit pigeons, starlings and occasionally squirrels. Has been seen to drive Sulawesi Macaque from a fruiting fig tree in which the macaques were feeding. Feeds mainly on fruit (especially figs Ficus spp); also large insects,etc.
The Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill is the samallest of the hornbills and much harder to spot. A neat yellow and black bird, it lives in kin groups and defends its territory. Breeding is from April to July and older sons help the adult male provide food for the female and offspring. A small hornbill (53 cm). Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion. Widespread and locally moderately common, especially at lower elevations. Inhabits primary lowland and hill forest, forest edge and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest. Usually in pairs or groups of up to 10 birds, occasionally singly. Noisy and active; often difficult to observe. Flies through the forest. Feeds in the mid-canopy of fruiting trees. Other name Sulawesi Hornbill.
