Rare Great Hornbill sighting sparks hope for biodiversity

 

THE HINDU BUREAU, 

KANNUR, july 9, 2025

In a rare and remarkable sighting, the Malamuzhakki Vezhambal (Great Hornbill), Kerala’s State bird, was spotted in the coastal belt of Kakkampara, near Ezhimala in Kannur, an area far from its usual forested habitats.

The bird was first observed perched on a fig-laden Ficus exasperata tree on May 24 and later flew towards the Ezhimala Naval Academy’s forecasted campus.

Birdwatchers Manoj Karingamathil, P. Jameela and Abhinav Jeevan, a student of the Forestry department in Sir Syed College, Taliparamba, confirmed the sighting and said the bird spotted was a male.The hornbill remained in the area for about two weeks, foraging from fruit-bearing trees and occasionally flying to neighbouring regions, said Mr. Manoj.

He said the bird was first noticed by Abhinav’s relatives, who without knowing the rarity of the bird sighting, used its photos asWhatsAppstatus. When the photos came to the notice of Abhinav, he immediately informed us,said Mr. Manoj.

Habitats

Typically found in Kerala’s evergreen and moist deciduous forests such as the Silent Valley, Nelliampathy, Athirappilly, Aralam and Parambikulam, the Hornbill is rarely seen in coastal areas, he said, adding that its unexpected presence is hailed as an ecological indicator.

There were very few reports of the birds being sighted near forest regions of the Aralam and Karimbam farms. However, there is no public documentation, he claimed.

Ramanthali grama panchayat president V. Shyma said the sighting is significant proof that the region remains a biodiversity hotspot despite human habitation. “This reflects the ecological richness of the area,” she said.

Sneha Subhash, head of the Department of Forestry, Sir Syed College, emphasised the need for further studies on the Great Hornbil’s movement to coastal hills. “Such occurrences near the sea are unusual and point to the broader ecological value of the region,“ she said.

Conservation calls

Listed as Endangered by the IUCN and protected under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, the Great Hornbill’s appearance in Ezhimala has sparked both excitement and renewed calls for conservation efforts in the area.

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Hornbills thriving in Malayattur forests

K.S. Sudhi
KOCHI,  
The Hindu, March 19, 2011

Hornbills are thriving in the Malayattur forests.

A recent bird survey held in the Malayattur forest division has revealed the presence of an “excellent population of Great Pied Hornbills.”

While the Malabar Grey Hornbill was spotted in good numbers, the Malabar Pied Hornbill was spotted from two base camps set up for the survey, said P.O. Nameer, State coordinator, Indian Bird Conservation Network and Important Bird Area Programme.

The Red List of threatened species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature has included the Great Pied and Malabar Pied Hornbills in the Near-Threatened category.

Though the Great Pied Hornbill, says the BirdLife International, “has a large range, it occurs at low densities and is patchily distributed.

It is likely to be declining moderately rapidly throughout its range, and is therefore considered Near Threatened”.

Regarding the Malabar Pied Hornbill, the international agency for conservation of birds says that the species “has a moderately small population size, and is likely to have declined as a result of continuing habitat loss.

It is therefore considered Near Threatened, and should be carefully monitored for any future increases in the rate of decline”.

The hornbill species are mostly found at an elevation between 200 metres and 1400 metres in evergreen forests of the State. These birds are frugivorous (feeding on fruits).

The forest stretch in Kerala that begins from Parambikulam and runs through Nelliampathy, Vazhachal, Sholayar, Malayattur and Pooyamkutty houses excellent population of hornbills. This stretch also forms part of the Anamalai region of the southern Western Ghats.

Survey

The survey was conducted by the Cochin Natural History Society and the KeralaBirder in association with the Kerala Forest Department from February 11 to 14.

Vishnupriyan Kartha and J. Praveen led the survey in which 56 birdwatchers participated.

The survey succeeded in identifying 193 species from the division. This included nine of the 16 endemic bird varieties of the Western Ghats and six Near-Threatened ones.

Nilgiri flycatchers were located from Variyam whereas Lesser Fish-Eagles were spotted from Kappayam and Pooyamkutty. While Grey-headed Bulbuls were located at several camps, Black Baza, Spangled Drongo, Drongo Cuckoo, Philippine Shrike, Black Bittern, Speckled Piculet and Great Black Woodpecker were identified from two camps each.

Oriental Broad-billed Roller and Great-eared Nightjars were spotted from almost all the camps and Red-winged Crested Cuckoo and Blackcapped Kingfishers from Anakkulam. Sri Lankan Frogmouths were located at Idamalayar and Mountain Hawk-Eagle from Malakkappara, he said.

Dr. Nameer said harvesting of reeds from the forest range for commercial purposes was posing serious threat to the habitat.

The habitat destruction would have its impact on elephant and birds populations, he said.

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