The Palawan Hornbills (Anthracoceros marchei), known locally as Talusi in the Filipino language, are a smallish (approximately 70 centimetres (28 in) long) forest-dwelling bird.
Its plumage is predominantly black with a white tail, a dark green gloss on its upper parts, and a large creamy-white beak with a casque (a large display growth on the upper mandible of the bill) typical of the hornbill family.
Description
The Palawan Hornbill, a large hornbill endemic to Palawan Island and the nearby islands, is an incredibly rare species. Birds that are fully grown measure about 70 centimeters. Males weigh between 580 and 920 grams. Males and females have many similarities, though males tend towards larger casques and bills.
In good light, the upper parts of their plumage often have a dark green gloss. The tail is bright white and stands out against the dark body. The bill is creamy-white with a large casque, which is more prominent in males. The lower mandible base may be darker or have a blackish color. They have bare necks and eyes, which are whitish, sometimes tinged with blue. The bare skin highlights their facial features.
The casque and bill of immature birds are paler, and the bill is smaller. The plumage of juveniles is duller and has less gloss.
There is no confusion because this hornbill, which is unique to Palawan and the nearby islands, is not similar to other hornbills in its range. When seen, it is easy to identify.
Distribution / Range
Nine species of hornbill are found in the Philippines and the Palawan Hornbills is endemic to Palawan island but has also been recorded on nearby islands of Balabac, Busuanga, Calauit, Culion, and Coron. Most visiting birdwatchers travel to St. Paul’s National Park, Palawan to see this bird, but it is now uncommon.
It acts as a bio-indicator due to its sensitivity to environmental changes. It is officially classified as “vulnerable” and its numbers have reduced by at least 20% in the last 10 years, due to habitat destruction and hunting for food and the live bird trade.
It is usually seen in pairs or small noisy family parties and has a communal roosting site. It is most usually observed in fruiting trees at the forest edge but also feeds on insects and small reptiles.
Feeding
Fruit is the main component of its diet. Palawan Hornbills are known to feed heavily on fruit, especially those from large-seed trees. They play a key role in the dispersal of seeds for many forest tree varieties. The hornbill also eats insects and small vertebrates, including lizards. The hornbill feeds in the forest canopy but can also be seen at forest edges and lower, depending on how many fruiting trees there are.
Hornbills forage in small groups or pairs. These birds can congregate loudly when fruit is plentiful in certain trees. They may call and flap their wings among the branches. They are forest dwellers that require large trees for both perching and nesting. Loss of these trees can have a significant impact on the birds’ hunting and feeding. According to National Geographic, this species is well documented.
They do some ground-foraging and drop to lower strata, particularly when there are insects or fruit that have fallen, but they feed mainly from trees. They tend to swallow large seeds and then deposit them in other places. This is important for maintaining the structure of forest plant communities. According to IUCN Red List, this species is well documented.
Vocalizations
It is loud and vocal in the early morning and late evening when forest birds are most active. Its loud, rauco, us, and distinct calls can be easily identified. This call is often transcribed as “kaaww” or “kreik–kreik”. These calls are carried across the canopy of the forest and can be used to communicate between individuals or to alert or mark territory. The sound of many individuals in fruiting trees can be heard in intact forests.
These hornbills are easily heard by birdwatchers because of their loud voices. They are easily recognizable due to their vocal behavior, despite living in the forest canopy.
Conservation
According to the IUCN, the conservation status of Palawan Hornbills is Vulnerable. The IUCN estimates that the population of mature individuals is between 2,500 and 10,000. Over the past ten years, there has been an estimated decline of 20%. Threats are still present.
The most significant threat is the destruction of habitat. The destruction of habitat by illegal and legal logging, conversion of forests to agriculture, urbanization, mining, and road construction all decrease the availability of fruiting trees and nesting trees. Even secondary forests that do not have mature, large trees are less suitable for breeding because the hornbill needs them to nest.
Another major issue is hunting. In some places, the bird is hunted as food. Trapping for pet birds or the live bird trade also contributes to the decline. The enforcement of these illegal activities has been patchy.
Protecting habitat in designated protected areas is helpful. Several protected areas still have reasonable populations of the Palawan Hornbill: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and El Nido Reserve. The density of old-growth forest was found to be significantly higher than secondary or degraded forests, underlining the importance of intact forests.
Both government and non-government conservation programs are trying to combat the threats. In some places, nest protection schemes are in place. Awareness campaigns are being conducted to encourage forest stewards and reduce hunting, live-trade capture, and promote the planting and propagation of food and nesting tree types. Forest restoration is also underway. Despite the challenges, enforcement is still a challenge. Still, monitoring of population trends, habitat losses, nest success, and ecological needs is needed.
Conclusion
The Palawan Hornbill, however, is more than just a forest bird. It is a sign of good forest health in Palawan. Its presence is a sign of a well-preserved environment because it relies on large trees and ripe fruit. It is a good indicator of forest degradation when it disappears from a particular site or becomes rare.
It is a great privilege for visitors to Palawan’s forests to hear the shrill Kaaww and Kreik-Kreik Talusi call among the fruiting trees in the late afternoon or early morning. The Talusi’s creamy white casque and flashing tail, set against its dark glossy feathers, creates an atmosphere of wonder and responsibility.
There is hope for the Palawan Hornbill to persist in large numbers if conservation measures–strict habitat protection, control of hunting, wildlife laws enforcement, awareness among communities restoration of degraded forests–are strengthened. It requires large nests, big trees, and forests that can heal. It deserves to live, not only because it is a beautiful creature but also as an important part of the ecosystem.
