Latest news with #GreatHornbills
The Hindu
10-08-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Majestic Great Hornbill makes a rare coastal appearance in Kodungallur
In a rare and unprecedented sighting, an adult male Great Hornbill, Kerala's State bird and a species usually confined to the forested high ranges of the Western Ghats, was spotted in the coastal belt of Kodungallur and Kaipamangalam, just 200 m from the beach. Hornbill researchers Amitha Bachan K.H. and research scholar Aswin Krishna photographed the bird feeding on a large False Ashoka tree (Monoon longifolia), locally known as 'Aranamaram.' 'This is the first such record from Kerala where the location is right at sea level, on an isolated tree on a sandy coastal beach,' said Dr. Bachan, founder of the Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation and member of the IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group. 'Great Hornbills are usually associated with the forested high ranges, so seeing one on an isolated coastal tree is highly unusual.' A similar report emerged from Kannur in July this year, near the Ezhimala Naval Academy campus. It was also sighted once in the coastal region of Thiruvananthapuram a decade ago. Both of the earlier reports were in lateritic hillock regions near the coast, where there are large vegetation tracts similar to small patches of forest. 'But here, it was a sandy beach setting, which makes this instance unique,' Dr. Bachan noted. The Great Hornbill, showing no fear of humans, was observed foraging among native fruiting trees near the residence of Sabira, staff member at MES Asmbi College, where the hornbill foundation's Research Extension Centre operates. The researchers witnessed the bird's distinctive feeding method - plucking fruits with the tip of its beak, tossing them into the air, and catching them in its mouth before swallowing. Three possibilities According to Dr. Bachan, the sighting could point to three possibilities: 'First, it may be a sign of successful conservation in our core hornbill habitats like Vazhachal and Nelliyampathi, leading to increased non-nesting movements. Second, it could indicate behavioural changes, with birds becoming more tolerant of humans. Third, changing climate patterns — early rains, persistent mist, and lush vegetation — may also be influencing these movements. Each of these factors needs deeper study.' The nearest Great Hornbill populations are 35–50 km away in the Vazhachal, Vellikulangara–Anapantham, Peechi, and Nelliyampathi forest ranges. International records show that the species can travel over 100–200 km during non-nesting season.
New Indian Express
07-08-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Great Hornbill sighted on Kerala's sandy coastal stretch in rare phenomenon
TRISSUR: In a rare and striking sighting, the Great Hornbill, also known as Malamuzhakki Vezhambal, the state bird of Kerala, usually found in hilly terrains, was allegedly spotted in the sandy coastal belt between Kodungallur and Kaipamangalam by researchers Amitha Bachan K H and Aswin Krishna. The team confirmed the sighting and photographed the bird feeding on a large false asoka tree, just 200 metres away from the beach. The Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, has been monitoring and protecting Great Hornbills and their nesting trees in the Vazhachal forests with the involvement of the local Kadar indigenous community since 2005. According to Dr Amitha, a member of the IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group and founder of the Hornbill Foundation, 'Similar movements of adult males of the species during the post-breeding and pre-nesting period of July to November have occurred before. It was also sighted once in the coastal region of Thiruvananthapuram a decade ago. Both of the earlier sightings were in lateritic hillock regions near the coast, where there are large vegetation tracts similar to small patches of forest. However, this particular sighting was on a sandy coastal beach, on an isolated tree.'
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
‘Be accurate when using S'wak emblem as representation, no and/or'
Great Hornbills are not found in Sarawak or Sabah, according to Teo. — Photo by Jason Teo KUCHING (May 18): Zoologist Jason Teo claimed Affin Bank used the wrong hornbill on its Affin Kenyalang Visa Debit Card and urged the bank to consider updating the misleading illustration. He said while the casque (upper part of the beak) is long and curved upwards, which matches the Rhinoceros Hornbill, other key features suggest the bird illustrated on the debit card is actually a Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) with a modified casque. 'This is not a call to shame Affin Bank—mistakes happen, and I believe this was an honest one. As Sarawakians, I believe we are patient and understanding people. Even in my early career, I've misidentified many birds; it's part of the learning process. 'I've been approached by many people asking me to confirm what our State Emblem truly looks like. That honestly has been disheartening for me. It feels like we've taken a few steps backwards,' said Teo in a statement yesterday. An image of the Affin Kenyalang Visa Debit Card. He has help from seasoned birdwatcher with 27 years of experience Tou Jing Yi on the cross-checking of facts. Teo pointed out that Great Hornbills are not found in Sarawak or Sabah while Rhinoceros Hornbills can be found in Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia. According to him, the Great Hornbill has a pale yellowish-white neck, whereas the Rhinoceros Hornbill's neck is entirely black. He went on to say that the wing of the Great Hornbill has two conspicuous white to yellow wing bars while the Rhinoceros Hornbill is entirely black. 'While both have casques, the Rhinoceros Hornbill's casque extends more prominently out and upwards while the Great Hornbill's is flat and set further back at the head. Also, the Great Hornbill's casque is mostly yellow. In contrast, the Rhinoceros Hornbill's casque has a balanced mix of red, yellow and orange,' he said. The Rhinoceros Hornbill, the Sarawak State Emblem. — Photo by Jason Teo Teo said some had argued that the hornbill's casque on the debit card was long and curved upwards, which should be close enough to call it a Rhinoceros Hornbill. 'However, the designated state bird of Sarawak is specifically the Rhinoceros Hornbill, not just any hornbill. It's also important to remember that the Affin Kenyalang Visa Debit Card was designed specifically for Sarawak, yet the species illustrated on the card (the Great Hornbill) does not exist in Sarawak,' he stressed. Citing as an example, he said it would be unacceptable if someone tried to use an image of a lion to represent the Malayan Tiger. He said that if it mattered that the Malaysia and Sarawak flags are depicted accurately, then the same standard should apply to the Sarawak State Emblem. 'Accuracy in representing our identity matters. This is not an 'and/or' question,' he said. 'There's absolutely no shame in making a correction, it's how we learn. And finally, I hope that after reading this, people will feel more confident in recognising the Rhinoceros Hornbill, and will share this knowledge with friends and family. Let's move forward together, informed and united,' he added. Affin Bank Jason Teo lead rhinoceros hornbill State Emblem
