Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus
The Writhed Hornbill, *Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus*, is a striking medium-sized hornbill, reaching 50-55 cm (20-22 inches) in length, endemic to the fragmented lowland rainforests of the Philippines. This species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males boasting a bright white head, neck, and upper breast contrasting with a glossy black body, while females are entirely black save for their yellow bill. Both sexes possess a distinctive, laterally compressed casque atop the bill, wit...
Found primarily in lowland evergreen rainforests, including primary and regenerating secondary growth, typically at elevations up to 1,200 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, with a strong preference for figs, supplemented by a variety of invertebrates (insects) and small vertebrates (lizards, frogs).
Writhed Hornbills are diurnal, spending their days foraging actively in the forest canopy, usually in pairs or small family groups, though larger aggregations may form at abundant fruiting trees. They employ an arboreal foraging strategy, plucking fruits and snatching invertebrates from branches ...
The Writhed Hornbill is endemic to the Philippines, with its distribution restricted to the eastern Mindanao faunal region. Specifically, its breeding range encompasses the islands of Mindanao, Dinagat, Siargao, and Bucas Grande. Within Mindanao, they can be found in various provinces, including ...
Vulnerable
- The common name "Writhed Hornbill" refers to the distinctive, wrinkled ridges or 'writhes' on the male's large casque. - Unlike most birds, the female Writhed Hornbill seals herself inside a tree cavity to nest, relying entirely on the male to deliver food through a narrow slit for months. - Th...