The Samar hornbill is a species of hornbill in the family Bucerotidae. It is found in forests on the islands of Samar, Calicoan, Leyte and Bohol in the east-central Philippines. As is the case with all Philippine tarictic hornbills, it has been considered a subspecies of Visayan hornbill Alternatively, it is considered a subspecies of Mindanao hornbill.
Region
Eastern Visayas, Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland to hill forests on Samar, Calicoan, Leyte, and Bohol in the east‑central Philippines. It inhabits primary and well-developed secondary evergreen forest, including forest edges and riparian corridors. Birds often move between fruiting trees in the mid‑ to upper canopy and will occasionally use adjacent agroforestry mosaics when large fruiting trees remain. Nesting requires large, mature trees with natural cavities. The species is sensitive to extensive logging and hunting pressure.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small tarictic hornbill shows striking sexual dimorphism: males have pale heads and underparts, while females are mostly black. Like other hornbills, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity during nesting, relying on the male to deliver food. It depends heavily on fruiting figs and other forest trees and thus serves as an important seed disperser. Its taxonomy has been debated, having been treated as a subspecies of either the Visayan or Mindanao hornbill in the past.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with direct, purposeful flights between fruiting trees; audible wingbeats in forest
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family parties, occasionally joining mixed-species hornbill flocks at abundant fruit sources. Monogamous pairs nest in tree cavities; the female seals the entrance, leaving a narrow slit through which the male passes food. Both parents care for the young after the female breaks out of the nest cavity. Territorial around nest sites but tolerant at rich feeding trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include nasal croaks, cackles, and honking notes, often given in short series. Calls carry through the forest and are commonly heard at dawn and late afternoon.
Plumage
Male with creamy to buff head and underparts contrasting with darker wings and back; female largely black with a slightly paler throat. Both sexes have a relatively small casque and a white tail with a contrasting black terminal band. Plumage appears sleek with subtle gloss on darker areas.
Diet
Primarily consumes figs (Ficus) and other fleshy fruits, playing a key role in seed dispersal. Supplements its diet with insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally small vertebrates, especially when feeding young. Foraging often involves methodical scanning of the canopy and swift flights to known fruiting trees. Seasonal availability of fruit can drive local movements within forest tracts.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the mid- to upper canopy of primary and mature secondary forests. Will visit forest edges, riparian zones, and fruiting trees in wooded farmland when forest cover persists nearby. Prefers areas with abundant large fruiting trees.
