The Palawan hornbill is a large forest bird endemic to the Philippines. It is one of the 11 endemic hornbills in the country. It is only found in Palawan and nearby islands of Balabac, Busuanga, Calauit, Culion and Coron. It is locally known as "talusi" in the language Cuyunon. It is threatened by habitat loss, hunting and trapping for the cage-bird trade.
Region
Palawan and Calamian Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and secondary lowland evergreen and dipterocarp forests, including riverine and limestone karst forests. It frequents forest edges, clearings, and areas near villages when fruiting trees are abundant. Roosts and nests in large, mature trees with suitable cavities. It can also use mangrove margins and degraded forest if tall fruiting trees remain, but it prefers intact canopy.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Palawan hornbill, locally known as talusi, is confined to Palawan and nearby islands in the western Philippines. Like other hornbills, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity for nesting, relying on the male to deliver food through a narrow slit. It is highly dependent on fruiting trees, especially figs, and serves as an important seed disperser. Habitat loss and hunting have caused declines, making conservation of lowland forests crucial.
Palawan Hornbill
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with deep, labored wingbeats and short glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family parties, sometimes gathering at fruiting trees. Nests in tree cavities; the female seals the entrance with a mixture of mud and feces, leaving a slit for the male to pass food. Pairs maintain territories around nest sites during the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud, nasal honks and cackles that carry through the forest. Wingbeats can produce a characteristic whooshing sound in flight.
Plumage
Glossy black overall with a contrasting white tail and white undertail; wings broad with a heavy, rounded profile.
Diet
Primarily eats fruit, especially figs (Ficus), but also consumes other berries and drupes. Supplements its diet with insects, small reptiles, and occasionally small vertebrates or nestlings. Often swallows fruits whole and later disperses seeds over long distances.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in the canopy at fruiting trees, particularly along forest edges and river corridors. Will descend to mid-canopy or visit isolated fruiting trees in secondary growth and near villages.
