Helmeted Hornbill
Rhinoplax vigil
Bizarre-looking bird, now very rare due to poaching for the ivory-like material of its bill. When perched, its most recognizable feature is the naked throat pouch which resembles an undercooked steak, chalky white in the female and dull scarlet in the male. When in flight, its long trailing central tail feathers easily distinguish it from any other hornbill. Scarce and difficult to see; listen for its far-carrying maniacal laugh in mature lowland and foothill forests.
Identification
It has mostly blackish plumage, except that the belly and legs are white and the tail is white with a black band near the tip of each feather. The tail is long and the two central tail feathers are much longer than the others, giving the bird a total length greater than that of any other hornbill species. The body length is 110–120 cm (43–47 in), not counting the tail feathers, which boost the length a further 50 cm (20 in). One male weighed 3.1 kg (6.8 lb) in weight while two females averaged about 2.7 kg (6.0 lb). Although sometimes considered the largest Asian hornbill, their body weight appears to be similar to that of the great hornbill (and considerably less than the African ground hornbills).<p>This species has a bare, wrinkled throat patch, pale blue to greenish in females and red in males. The casque goes from the base of the bill halfway to the tip, where it ends abruptly. It and the bill are yellow; the red secretion of the preen gland covers the sides and top of the casque and the base of the bill, but often leaves the front end of the casque and the distal half of the bill yellow. Unlike other hornbills, the helmeted hornbill's casque is solid, and the skull including the casque and bill may constitute 10 percent of the bird's weight.
Taxonomy
Genus: Rhinoplax; Family: Bucerotidae; Order: Bucerotiformes.
- Scientific name
- Rhinoplax vigil
- Authority
- (Pennant, 1781)
- Order
- Bucerotiformes
- Family
- Bucerotidae
- Genus
- Rhinoplax
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Lord Howe Rail
Gallirallus sylvestris
A long-necked and short-tailed rail with a long decurved bill. Uniformly brownish red, sometimes with variable barring on underside and flanks. Flightless. Naturally occurs in subtropical forest, but now mostly restricted to highest mountains. No similar species occur in its range. Often heard giving an advertising “coo-eet” call, but also commonly a series of drumming “booomp” notes.
White-banded Tyrannulet
Mecocerculus stictopterus
A small, pale, and active tyrannulet. No bright colors; look for a very thick white eyebrow, gleaming white wingbars, a medium-gray crown, and a brown back. Tends to perch horizontally, often with its relatively long tail held level or slightly up. Flits actively, usually in the canopy or subcanopy, often part of a mixed-species flock. Occurs in subtropical and temperate forest and edges in the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia, from around 2,300 to 3,300 m. Similar to White-tailed Tyrannulet but larger and found at higher elevations; also note White-tailed’s narrower white eyebrow, off-white wingbars, and generally duller plumage than White-banded. Listen for its scratchy rising calls.
Giant Ibis
Pseudibis gigantea
A hulking gray ibis the size of a large goose and with a distinctively long-bodied appearance, this increasingly rare scimitar-billed waterbird is unmistakable in its limited range. Size alone separates this species from other ibises that share its range; also note wrinkly bald head, dark back, and beautifully scalloped wings. Forages singly, in pairs, or in small flocks. Inhabits lowland plains, moving in response to water availability, occasionally gathering at waterholes during especially dry periods. Forages in marshy or flooded openings in wooded areas, and roosts and nests in nearby trees. Gives loud rolling bugles at dawn and dusk.
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