Oriental pied hornbill

Anthracoceros albirostris

Description:

This is a wild Oriental pied hornbill. I was so surprised when it landed just 4 meters way from me! It was interesting to see it toss a small fruit from its bill into the air and then catch it again with its bill. "They are the only truly wild hornbills found on Singapore. Unlike most other hornbills, Oriental pied-hornbills can be found outside primary rainforests and may visit inhabited areas to feed on fruit. But they still depend on large living trees for nesting sites."

Habitat:

Just off the trail along a mangrove-lined waterway at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore.

Notes:

Additional links: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/dna/organisms/det... * http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species... * (Map marker not precise).

Species ID Suggestions

6 Comments

duttagupta35504 10 years ago

Yes, I agree. If we are to assess the impact of Oriental Pied Hornbills on Singapore, we have to study their impact on the ecosystem more. I just wanted to bring a different viewpoint to your attention; whether it is valid or not remains to be seen.

Scott Frazier 10 years ago

Thanks duttagupta35504 for the additional information. Yes more information is always useful, including on hornbill predation on other bird species which was raised as an issue but based on just two cases (at least in the blog piece). Generally concerns were of two types 1) ecological impact of having the species successfully established in Singapore and 2) an argument that conservation efforts should be focused on more "deserving" species.

duttagupta35504 10 years ago

Actually, the reintroduction of Oriental Pied Hornbills is quite controversial in some Singaporean natural history circles. Read more about it at http://amazinganimalssociety.blogspot.sg....