The Visayan hornbill is a hornbill found in tropical moist lowland forests of the Philippines in the Western Visayas region which includes the islands of Panay, Negros and formerly as well as the island of Masbate, and formerly Ticao, in the Philippines. As is the case with all five Philippine tarictic hornbills, formerly considered to be just one species. It is declining due to habitat destruction, hunting and the illegal wildlife trade.
Region
Western Visayas, central Philippines
Typical Environment
Found mainly in primary and mature secondary lowland evergreen forest, including riverine and limestone (karst) forests. They favor areas with large cavity-bearing trees for nesting and abundant fruiting figs. Birds may use forest edges and selectively logged areas when fruit is available but avoid heavily cleared landscapes. Historically occurred on Negros, Panay, and formerly on Masbate and Ticao, where it has declined sharply due to habitat loss and hunting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Visayan hornbills are cavity nesters; the female seals herself inside a tree hollow with a wall of mud and droppings, leaving only a slit through which the male feeds her and the chick. They are vital seed dispersers for many rainforest trees, especially figs. Their heavy wingbeats produce a distinctive whooshing sound as they fly through the canopy.
Detail of male's head
Pair at Avifauna in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.
A wild male showing its much browner underparts
Tarictic hornbill chick surrendered to researchers in Panay, Philippines.
Temperament
shy and wary
Flight Pattern
strong flier with heavy, whooshing wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or family parties and occasionally in small groups at fruiting trees. Breeding involves the female sealing herself in a tree cavity for weeks while the male provisions her and the chick. Nests are placed high in large, old-growth trees, making intact forest crucial for reproduction.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include nasal honks, cackles, and yelping calls that carry through the forest canopy. Wing noise is often heard before the bird is seen.
Plumage
Male with creamy-white head and underparts contrasting with glossy black wings, back, and tail; female mostly black with a paler tail band. Both sexes have a small casque atop a pale bill and show a contrasting white tail band. Plumage is sleek and slightly glossy, especially on the black upperparts.
Diet
Primarily eats fruits, especially figs (Ficus), but also takes berries and other soft fruits. Will supplement with insects and small animal prey opportunistically. Swallows fruit whole and later regurgitates seeds, aiding forest regeneration. Often feeds methodically through the canopy, moving between fruiting trees.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in the forest canopy and at edges where fruiting trees are plentiful. Regularly visits fig trees and other seasonally fruiting species along ridges and river corridors.
