Narcondam hornbill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Narcondam hornbill |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rhyticeros
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| Species: |
narcondami
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| Location of Narcondam Island | |
| Synonyms | |
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Aceros narcondami |
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The Narcondam hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami) is a special type of hornbill bird. It lives only on the small Indian island of Narcondam in the Andamans. This means it is endemic to that island. Male and female Narcondam hornbills look quite different. They also have the smallest home range of all Asian hornbills. This means they don't travel very far from their homes.
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What Does the Narcondam Hornbill Look Like?
The Narcondam hornbill is a small bird, about 66 cm (26 inches) long. The males and females have different colored feathers.
- Males: Have a reddish-brown head and neck. Their body and upper parts are black with a green shine.
- Females: Are all black.
Both males and females have a bluish-white patch on their throat and a white tail. Their beaks have a few folds near the base. The skin around their eyes is bluish. Males have orange-red eyes, while females have olive-brown eyes with a pale yellow ring. Their legs are black, and the bottom of their feet are yellow.
Narcondam Hornbill Family Tree
The Narcondam Hornbill was first described by a scientist named Allan Octavian Hume in 1873. This bird belongs to a group of hornbills called Rhyticeros, which are only found in Asia. Scientists believe that hornbills originally came from Africa. The Narcondam hornbill is closely related to other hornbills like the wreathed hornbill and Blyth's hornbill.
How Narcondam Hornbills Behave
What Sounds Do They Make?
Adult Narcondam hornbills make a ka-ka-ka sound when they fly. When they are near their nest, they make a ko... kokoko...ko...kok...kok sound. Young birds in the nest make soft chew calls.
What Do They Eat?
Narcondam hornbills mostly eat fruit. They are known as frugivores. They eat fruits from many different trees found on their island. Some of their favorite fruits come from fig trees. Like other hornbills, they also eat insects and sometimes small reptiles. They help spread seeds from the fruits they eat. This is very important for the health of the forest. They sometimes chase away large birds like white-bellied sea eagles if they fly too close.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Narcondam hornbills usually breed between February and April. They build their nests in holes inside large trees or in broken branches. The female stays hidden inside the nest hole while she lays eggs and raises her chicks. During this time, she loses her flight feathers, so she cannot fly. The male bird brings food to the female and their chicks. Usually, a pair of hornbills will raise two young birds. Birds that are four years or older are ready to breed.
Some Narcondam hornbills have been kept in zoos, but they have not successfully had babies there. In 1972, some chicks were taken from the island, but they did not survive long.
Where Do Narcondam Hornbills Live?
These birds live in open forests that cover most of Narcondam Island. They can be found from sea level up to about 700 meters (2,300 feet) high. However, most of their nests are found below 200 meters (650 feet). For nesting and sleeping, they prefer old, untouched forests with very large trees. They especially like to nest in Sideroxylon and Sterculia trees.
The entire population of Narcondam hornbills lives only on Narcondam Island. This island is covered in forests and rises about 700 meters (2,300 feet) above the sea. Not many people live on the island. The island often gets hit by big storms called cyclones. In 2000, scientists estimated there were about 434 Narcondam hornbills on the island. The island is about 6.8 square kilometers (2.6 square miles) in size.
Protecting the Narcondam Hornbill
Since 2009, the Narcondam hornbill has been listed as a Vulnerable species. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered.
Narcondam Island has mostly been empty of people. In the past, goats were brought to the island, and some became wild. In 2011, there was a plan to build a radar station on the island. This plan was stopped because people were worried about how it would affect the hornbills and other unique animals on the island. However, the plan for the station was approved again in 2014. People continue to watch out for these special birds to make sure they are protected.
