Capti~e Breeding and o« anagement u) Q) a> (J) «c of the (f) S c Jatllson's ornbill o U5 ~ I (Tockus jacksonii) c ..co """") by John Heston >. .D Los Angeles, California o(f) (5 ..c 0- "Hornbill" - now that's an inter­ esting, descriptive term. Hearing of such an animal without some sort of visual reinforcement would only set my imagination free to concoct all kinds of weird, anatomical shapes and forms. Further, I'd bet the oot-so­ gullible residents of Missouri (the "show me" state) would, with suspi­ cious skepticism, dismiss the exist­ ence of such a creature as they might a "jackalope" or a "devil chicken. " A juvenile malejackson's hornbill with a southern yellow-billed hornbill. Well, hornbills indeed exist, and their appearance, as well as reproductive A young male with billalmost completely colored out. natural history, are probably more bizarre than most people may imagine. Hornbills are representative of the family Bucerotidae, within the order A male near the nest box. Note the beginnings ofa plug at the nest entrance. 36 FebruaryIMarch 1989 Coraciiformes, which also includes detritus, feces, and saliva. When com­ hoopoes and the more familiar king­ pleted, only a narrow, vertical slit fishers. The hornbill family alone remains through which she will consists of twelve genera, some forty­ receive sustenance from the male, and five species, various subspecies and to allow for the ejection of excre­ races, all of which are indigenous to ment. Primarily due to this aspect of the Old World. A variety of different their natural history, hornbills are forms are found in Africa, India, regarded as the most highly evolved throughout southeast Asia, and on of cavity-nesting birds. Once sealed many islands of the Indo-Australian within the nest, the hen remains long region. It's not surprising that the enough to lay and incubate her eggs, greatest number of subspecies and molt, and care for her young until races have evolved among island they have developed enough to be left groups such as the Philippines which, behind on their own. The total Understanding the Life by their very nature, facilitate geogra­ amount of time may range from 60 to phic isolation. 100 days, depending on the species. of Birds explains: Relative sizes range from the small Further, with a particular species, the Avian reproduction, Egg & Chick devel­ red-billed dwarf hornbill (Tockus number of young in a brood may also opment, Digestion, Feather structure & camurus) at 33 cm. (13 in.), to the influence the timing of the hen's color, Flight, Nutrition & Avian genetics. great Indian or concaved-casqued emergence. In the case of a large hornbill (Buceros bicornis) that can brood, the female may leave the nest Read cover to cover, or use as a reference be as large as 140 cm. (56 in.) from earlier due to spatial constraints, and book. Glossary, full index and original art. Hardbound. Over 300 pages. the tip of the bill to the end of the to form with the male, a division of tail. As their name implies, the most labor necessary to accommodate the Patrick G. Coyle Jr. is a breeder-educator prominent feature of their anatomy is increasing nutritional demands ofthe who presents useful infonnation in a style that is interesting and easy to understand. the bill, which is usually very large in young. relation to their overall body size. In Regardless of their preferred food $21.95, + $2 Shipping in U.S. some species the bill is topped by an type, these birds are superb oppor­ Calif. residents, add 6% tax. ornate casque that is situated cen­ tunists. Some species forage primarly trally along the median of the upper for fruit, while others mainly go after Summit Publications, Dept. W mandible. small animals. Still, other species may 11565 Sunset Knolls Rd Understandably, some people get be more generalized in their feeding lakeside, CA 92040 hornbills confused with toucans habits and, subsequently, hunt and which are definitely rivals with forage for both. respect to bill size, but the resem­ "Jeepers, creepers! Where'd you blance is only superficial.(Taxonomi­ get those peepers'" Upon first Major Mitchell's cally, toucans are more closely related observing one of these creatures, I'm Cockatoos to woodpeckers and are, therefore, fairly certain that's what I may have (Cacatua leadbeateri) categorically placed within the order mumbled to myself; however, if not, Piciformes.) Though the bill and it definitely sums up the inital effect. casque appear heavy and unwieldy, Unlike most birds, with the exception it's actually surprisingly light! In con­ of ratites (ostriches, rheas, etc.), horn­ struction, the outer shell is supported bills have human-like eyes accen­ by a network of "struts" composed tuated with long eyelashes that of cellular, sponge-like, bony tissue. express confidence and inquisitive As with most generalizations there intelligence. are always exceptions, and so is the Jackson's hornbills (Tockus case regarding the Malayan helmeted jacksonii), named for the British hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil). This explorer, naturalist, soldier and species has a casque of solid bone, author Sir Fredrick George Jackson which is known to be transformed (1860- I 938) - whew! - are indigen­ into carvings and other art forms by ous to the dryer regions of central east the humans that inhabit its range. Africa where they are known to feed Many species exhibit virtual mono­ predominantly on insects, other small morphism between sexes (male and animals, and some fruit. In the aviary, Jackson's hornbills female identical in appearance). In a full color limited edition print are very active, become quite tame, others, however, sexual differences by (dimorphisms) are evident in various and will usually get along well with degrees. other species ofbirds - except other EricPeake Hornbills nest within the hollow hornbills. Even though they seem to print size 20" x 15", sin: 950 cavities of trees and, with the excep­ have a less aggressive nature than 00 includes tax and tion of ground hornbills, the female many other species, more than one $60 shipping, U.S.A. becomes literally "walled" or pair of hornbills in the same aviary Order from "sealed" within the nest cavity after would be a most uncomfortable and, Corporate Environments the entrance is almost completely at times, nerve-racking situation. The 9200 Glenwood, #104, Overland, KS 66212 plugged with an amalgam of mud, pair that's predominantly referred to (913) 642-9756 afa WATCHBIRD 37 herein have a pair ofactively breeding and utilized as the result of carbohy­ Tarictic hornbills (Penelopedes drate metabolism - an adaptive phys­ panini) for neighbors. The maleJack­ iological mechanism exhibited by son's has never expressed aggressive many species ofanimals that are indi­ behavior towards the Tarictic male, genous to arid habitats. Still, in the even during a nesting cycle. On the aviary, a constant supply of fresh other hand, the Tarictic male will water is always present. rarely miss an opportunity to intimi­ The aviary these hornbills share date theJackson's and, indeed, does with many other birds is approxi­ ,.... so by flying into, or against, the wire mately 20 feet on each side and about TOP"AQUALITY - LOWEST PRICES partition between the flights like a 25 feet in height. A facility ofthis size cannonball. If this aggressive display is not absolutely necessary for breed­ ftru"'_~1 P.O. Box 15001 U IJ\,,-W Hamilton, OH 45015 is responded to at all, it's merely a ing this and many other species, but I CALL OR WRITE FOR BROCHURE token gesture mixed with an amalgam believe spacious accommodations TO ORDER CALL TOl.L FREE of curiosity and saving face ("Henry! may enhance reproductive success. Don't just sit there. Do something!") Further, a large area does allow for 1-800-222-3563 Obviously, the outcome ofplacing adequate exercise, permits a greater these two species together is a fore­ variety and number of bird popula­ WITH ~ C~D. gone conclusion. I have had a pair of tions to establish their respective 1.1 Jackson's co-exist peacefully with an territories, and provides each individ­ ALL OTHER CALLS 1-513-874-5881 actively breeding pair of plush­ ual with the opportunity to maintain KNOWN FOR QUALITY AND SERVICE crested jays (Cyanocorax chrysops), an adequate social force field ("their which would dive bomb them at the own space"). slightest provocation or whenever The flight, located on a hillside, is they ventured too near their nest or constructed of 4x4 inch square steel fledglings. The hornbills only reacted tubing framework, covered with Ixl with puzzled alarm and, even if it inch mesh weldwire fabric. Palos contradicted their curious nature, did Verdes stone has been set into the their best to remain clear of the jays' concrete foundation to form terraces business. An actively breeding pair of in the hillside and to enhance the Jackson's will have no problem co­ flight aesthetically. Tough, hardy existing with assorted quail, pigeons plants such as camelias, clivias, and doves, jays, mynahs, pheasants, rubber trees and bamboo are planted turacos, and many other species liberally throughout, and a contin­ where competition is not a problem. ually recycled and filtered stream Indifference seems to be the rule. flows through the center, for drinking The core oftheir daily diet consists and bathing. The sound of water of Wayne's bite-size kibble soaked in splashing over a series of "mini­ water (or a mixture of Aqua-Vitae), waterfalls" is a special ingredient chopped fruit, and both raw and enhancing the aviary in a natural way. cooked vegetables. They also receive The nest is best positioned high in hard-boiled egg, bird-of-prey diet a sheltered area of the flight to allow (Central Nebraska), and an assortment for as much security as possible, and of live foods such as crickets, meal­ perches have been placed in close worms, and even goldfish.