Knobbed hornbill facts for kids
The knobbed hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix), also known as the Sulawesi wrinkled hornbill, is a very colorful hornbill bird. It lives in Indonesia. This special bird is the official animal symbol for the South Sulawesi province. Sometimes, people also call it Aceros cassidix.
Quick facts for kids Knobbed hornbill |
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| A pair (female on left) in the forest canopy Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Sulawesi | |
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| Genus: |
Rhyticeros
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| Species: |
cassidix
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Contents
What Does It Look Like?
This is a big, black hornbill bird. It has a bright yellow beak and white tail feathers. The skin around its eyes is light blue, and its feet are black. Its throat is a bare, dark blue.
Male and female knobbed hornbills look a bit different.
- The male has a reddish-brown face and neck. His eyes are orange-red. He has a tall, red casque (a helmet-like growth) on top of his beak.
- The female has a black face and neck. Her casque is yellow, and her eyes are brownish.
Where Do They Live?
The knobbed hornbill is a bird that lives only in Indonesia. This means it is an endemic species there. You can find it on islands like Sulawesi, Buton, Lembeh, Togian, and Muna Island.
These birds live in evergreen forests. They can be found up to 1,800 meters high. They also use other areas for finding food. This includes younger forests, woodlands, and even farm areas.
Life Cycle and Habits
Like other hornbills, the knobbed hornbill is believed to stay with one partner for life. This is called being monogamous.
Their main food is fruits. But they also eat insects and small animals. The breeding season lasts for about 27 to 30 weeks. It seems to start when there is much less rain.
When it's time to lay eggs, the female seals herself inside a tree hole. She uses her own droppings to build a wall. During this time, the male brings food to the female and their young. He passes the food through a small slit in the sealed hole.
Knobbed hornbills are very important for their forest home. They help spread seeds from many tropical trees. This helps new trees grow.
Why Are They Important?
The knobbed hornbill is currently listed as a vulnerable animal. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered.
Even though you can find many of these birds in some places, they face threats.
- One big threat is habitat destruction. This happens when forests are cut down. The birds need large, old trees for their nests.
- Hunting is also a problem in some areas.
Gallery
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Male at Walsrode Bird Park
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Early drawing from the 1820s.
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Pair at Walsrode Bird Park, Germany
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Skeleton
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