It's totally surreal and mind-blowing that we have been entrusted with this bird,” says NFWC Director Ryan Reines. “In the bird world, this is among the pinnacle as far as the caliber of rarity and beauty and size. One look at her reinforces why this name is well chosen. Her name, Raja, means “royalty” in the Sanskrit language spoken throughout Southeast Asia, the natural range for her species. Here, she'll have a safe home and become an ambassador of sorts for her amazing species (Buceros rhinoceros). Raja, a rare rhinoceros hornbill, is the most recent endangered animal to arrive at the North Florida Wildlife Center (NFWC). Soon after, a beetle larva is tossed her way, and with a flash of the bright yellow hornlike casque growing on top of her head, she snatches the bug out of the air and gulps it down. Hence, it is not so surprising that you can observe all 10 species of hornbills, along with over 300 bird species, including rare and endangered species.A plump fresh blueberry gently arcs through the air and over to Raja, who catches it deftly in her impressive hornbill bill. And it is recognised as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). The park is also believed to be one of the world’s oldest rainforest, dating back over 130 million years. It ranges over 454 square miles filled with lush green forest hosting a diverse range of insects, birds, and mammals. Royal Belum State Park, Perak is one of the most important protected areas in Malaysia. Here, you can observe the Rhinoceros and Wrinkled hornbills, along with the Critically Endangered Helmeted Hornbill. Hornbill Valley, Taman Negara, Pahang – If you prefer to stay away from tourist destinations, the Hornbill Valley is a suitable, quiet location for Hornbill watching as it is only frequented by local birdwatchers. Here, you can observe 9 hornbill species, except the Plain-pouched hornbill. Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu is the largest manmade lake in Southeast Asia, surrounded by lush rainforest which hosts a diverse range of plant and animal species. So, if are interested in Hornbill watching, or just bird watching in Malaysia, here are few places that you might want to consider in your itinerary. Also, wildlife agencies and conservation authorities in SE Asia are enforcing stricter rules and tougher punishment, along with devising conservation strategies and action plans to address this issue. In response, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revised the conservation status of Helmeted Hornbill from Near Threatened to Critically Endangered. The hornbill casque is used to make carved jewellery and ornaments for decorative purposes. This is valued around US$1000 in the black market in China. In the last nine years, their population has rapidly declined and has been decimated due to a high demand for their casque. Sadly, the uniqueness of the casque in the Helmeted hornbill is also a cause for concern. This species has a solid casque, which is also used as a weapon when fighting against rival males. However, the purpose of the casque remains contentious, albiet they are probably used to recognise a mate or augment vocalisation, since they are hollow or spongy, except in the Helmeted hornbill. The long, curved beak is actually very useful for snatching and subduing prey, or picking figs and seeds from trees. So, what is the first thing you notice when you see a hornbill? Most probably, its long, curved beak and a bright casque – an enlargement on top of its beak. In the end, we failed what we had set out to do, but we learned a valuable lesson – to experience and realise that the Rhinoceros hornbill is one of the most intelligent, caring and majestic bird species of Malaysia. This is where I spent days with my colleague trying to hide our identity and to figure out why the male hornbill did not approach its nest. Here, I was tasked with observation and data collection on the nesting behaviour of the Rhinoceros Hornbill. My first encounter with one of the hornbills of Malaysia was in a fragmented forest, deep in the heart of Merapoh.
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