Mindanao hornbill

Mindanao hornbill
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
CITES Appendix II (CITES)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Bucerotiformes
Family:	Bucerotidae
Genus:	Penelopides
Species:	P. affinis
Binomial name
Penelopides affinis Tweeddale, 1877
Synonyms
Penelopides panini affinis

The Mindanao hornbill (Penelopides affinis), 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 we're once considered a single species. It is declining due to habitat destruction, hunting and the illegal wildlife trade.

It is illegal to hunt, capture or possess these birds under Philippine Law RA 9147.

Description and taxonomy

Ebird described it as "A fairly large bird of lowland and foothill forest. Small for a hornbill. Bill fairly short with black bands, and with bare skin around the eyes and chin. Male has pale underparts and head with a black cheek, a pale buffy tail with a black tip, and pale blue facial skin. Female is entirely black with a buffy band through the center of the tail and darker blue facial skin. Rufous hornbilloccurs in some of the same areas, but has a red bill. Samar Hornbill’s voice is a short, medium-pitched honk, reminiscent of a squeaky toy, often given in rapid series."

Formerly was once a single species. Visayan hornbill, Luzon hornbill, Samar hornbill and Mindoro hornbill. It is most similar to the Samar hornbill which it was again split from although some authorities believe in its treatment as a single species. It is differentiated from the Mindanao hornbill as it is smaller and the male has a rufous uppertail. Its call is also in a slightly higher frequency. Diet is presumed to be similar to other hornbills namely fruit,seeds, insects and small mammals and reptiles.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized:

• P. a. affinis (the nominate subspecies). Found on the islands of Mindanao, Dinagat and Siargao.
• P. a. basilanica. Found on the island of Basilan.

It is social and often seen in pairs or small groups up to 12 birds. These birds are noisy, emitting an incessant ta-rik-tik call, hence the name. Despite their noise they are difficult to find, being well camouflaged by the dense foliage.

Habitat and conservation status

Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest with most records under 900 meters above sea level but with records of up to 1,450 meters above sea level.

This species has been assesed International Union for Conservation of Nature as Least-concern although this still includes the Samar hornbill as part of its assessment However, Mindanao and Basilan has gone extensive lowland deforestation on all islands in its range is the main threat. Most remaining lowland forest that is not afforded protection leaving it vulnerable to both legal and Illegal logging, conversion into farmlands through Slash-and-burn and mining. The basilanica sub-species is particularly threatened as there is only 230 hectares of primary forest left. Due to security situation on Basilan, It was only reconfirmed as extant in 2019.

This tarictic species complex is widely kept in captivity but due to the taxonomic reoragnization it is unknown if these birds are of pure descent.

This occurs in a few protected areas such as Mount Apo, Mount Kitanglad, Pasonanca Natural Park, Mount Kalatungan and Mount Malindang but actual protection from illegal logging, hunting and poaching are lax.

Further reading

• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• Kemp, A. C. (2001). Family Bucerotidae (Hornbills). pp. 436–523 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Sargatal, J. eds. (2001). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 6. Mousebirds to Hornbills. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-30-X