The Mindanao hornbill, also known as the Mindanao tarictic hornbill, is a medium-small species of hornbill found in the canopy of rainforests on Mindanao, Dinagat, Siargao and Basilan in the southern Philippines. All five Philippine tarictics were once considered a single species. Its population declining due to habitat destruction, hunting and the illegal wildlife trade.
Region
Southern Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and secondary evergreen forests on Mindanao and nearby islands including Dinagat, Siargao, and Basilan. It favors closed-canopy lowland and foothill forests but also visits forest edges and selectively logged areas when fruiting trees are available. Nests are in large natural cavities of mature trees, making it sensitive to the loss of old-growth stands. It is largely canopy-dwelling, moving between fruiting trees and sometimes venturing into adjacent agroforests when fruit is scarce.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Mindanao tarictic hornbill, this species is confined to the Mindanao faunal region of the southern Philippines. Females seal themselves inside tree cavities during nesting, relying on the male to deliver food through a narrow slit. It is an important seed disperser for many rainforest trees, especially figs. Habitat loss and hunting pressure are ongoing threats.
Male
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with deep wingbeats and short glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, gathering at fruiting trees with other frugivores. Monogamous pairs nest in large tree cavities; the female is sealed inside during incubation and early chick-rearing while the male provisions her and the chicks. They may join loose flocks outside the breeding season and roost communally in tall trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, nasal honks and cackling calls, often given from the canopy. Wingbeats produce a distinctive whooshing sound during flight that can be heard from a distance.
