Facts About Mindanao hornbill
The Mindanao hornbill, also known as the Mindanao tarictic hornbill, is a captivating bird native to the verdant rainforests of Mindanao, Dinagat, Siargao, and Basilan in the southern Philippines. This medium-sized hornbill belongs to the Philippine tarictic hornbill group and was previously considered a subspecies of P. panini. Interestingly, the Samar hornbill is occasionally classified as a subspecies of the Mindanao hornbill. Two recognized subspecies exist: P. a. affinis, found on Mindanao, Dinagat, and Siargao, and P. affinis basilanica, found on Basilan.
These hornbills are social creatures, often observed in pairs or small groups. They are quite vocal, emitting distinctive calls that resonate through the forest canopy. However, spotting them remains a challenge due to their exceptional camouflage among the dense foliage. Their diet predominantly consists of fruit, though they occasionally consume insects, beetles, ants, and earthworms.
In captivity, Mindanao hornbills are sometimes mislabeled as Penelopides panini in zoos due to complexities in their taxonomy. Although relatively rare outside the Philippines, a few can be found in institutions such as the London Zoo and the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.