Hornbill Research Foundations update

Action for the Wild has been supporting the Hornbill Research Foundation since 2002, and donates $450 annually to support three hornbill families in Thailand. In 2011, Action for the Wild sponsored families of rhinoceros, wreathed and great hornbill species. Our families nest around the Budo Mountain area, which is part of the Budo-Sungai Padu National Park in Thailand.

In 2011, our new wreathed hornbill family were successful in fledging a chick. This took 104 days from the date when the female sealed up the nest, to the chick fledging. Their diet through the nesting cycle was made up almost entirely of fruits (99.6%) and, of those fruits, 51.3% was made up of fig species. Animals were brought to the nest infrequently (0.4%).This family have been very successful having fledged 9 chicks since 1999.

Our new great hornbill family were also successful in fledging a chick during 2011. It took 120 days from the sealing of the nest to the fledging of the chick. The diet for this family comprised of fruits (99.7%) and animals (0.3%). Again, 95.9% of the fruits were fig species. Again, this family have had another successful breeding year and have fledged 12 chicks since 1994.

Our rhinoceros hornbill family again successfully fledged one chick during their nesting season of June to September 2011. This took 99 days from sealing the nest to fledging. Their diet throughout the nesting period was comprised of fruits (99%), with animals brought infrequently (1%). The majority of fruits eaten were non fig fruits (60.8%). This family have produced at least 7 chicks since 2000.

Data collection by the team during 2011 was incomplete for some of the other family groups they monitor. This is due to incidents of unrest in Thailand’s southernmost provinces, and so workings in unsafe areas had to pause. Also the Deep South experienced a prolonged period of heavy rain, making it very difficult for staff to work in the field. However, the Hornbill Family Adoption Program will still carry on for 2012, with the project continuing to monitor our hornbill families. They will also continue to promote hornbill conservation and train villagers as nature guides, so they can earn an income in a more sustainable way.

Picture of a Great Hornbill (c) Hornbill Foundation