- Anthracoceros marchei
Photo taken: Lagen Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Identification
This hornbill has a small population which is declining rapidly as a result of the loss of lowland forest, compounded by hunting, and therefore qualifies as Vulnerable. The Palawan Hornbill, Anthracoceros marchei also known locally as Talusi in Filipino language is a 70-cm long forest-dweller hornbill. It has a white tail while the rest of its plumage is black. Its upper parts have a dark green gloss. Its large bill is creamy-white. The bird emits loud calls like kaaww and kreik-kreik.
Distribution
This hornbill is confined to Palawan and its satellite islands in the westernmost Philippines.
Taxonomy
Habitat
This is basically a forest bird but it is recorded from "mangrove swamps, cultivated land, bushland, secondary growth and mountain forest", ranging from the canopy to the undergrowth in multi-storeyed forests and descending to the ground to pick up food.
Behaviour
The Palawan Hornbill travel in pairs or in small noisy groups. They have a communal roosting site. It feeds on fruits, insects and small reptiles.
