Southern Rufous Hornbill
Place to admire: Tropical Paradise
Scientific name: Buceros hydrocorax mindanensis
IUCN-status: Vulnerable
Habitat
The Southern Rufous Hornbill is a native bird species of the Philippines. This bird species is found on the islands of Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Nohol, Dinagat, Siargao, Panaon, Basilan and Mindanao.
This bird species lives in evergreen primary forests. It also locally occurs in high secondary forest. It can be found up to an altitude of up to 2,100 meters!
Appearance
This bird species has a size of 60 to 65 cm. So this means a large Hornbill. It has a reddish color with brown and black plumage. The base of the beak has a crimson color. The outer half of the beak is pale yellow. The horn contains a cosmetic red color. The skin around the eye is black and only the lower part is colored yellow. The eyes have a light blue color. The throat contains a yellow hue. The legs contain a red color.
Diet
The Southern Rufous Hornbill feeds mainly on fruits and seeds, such as figs and wild guava. It also sometimes eats insects and centipedes.
Natural behavior
This bird species forages in the canopy. It also sometimes comes to the low bushes or even on the ground to hunt. In its flights, it also chases insects.