Fruit preferences of Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus in Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Food habits of Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus were studied from December 2000 to December 2001, in the Athikadavu valley, Western Ghats, India. A total of 147 individuals belonging to 18 fleshy-fruited tree species were monitored fortnightly. Thirteen fruit species, including five figs and eight non-figs, were recorded in the birds' diet. The overall number of tree species in fruit and fruiting individuals increased with the onset of summer, the Malabar Pied Hornbill's breeding season. The peak in fruiting is attributed to the peak in fruiting by figs. Figs formed the top three preferred food species throughout the year. During the non-breeding period (May to February), 60% of the diet was figs. During the peak breeding period (March and April), two nests were monitored for 150 hours. Ninety-eight per cent of food deliveries to nest inmates were fruits belonging to six species. Most fruits delivered at the nests constituted figs (75.6%). In addition, figs sustained hornbills during the lean season and should be considered “keystone species” in the riverine forest ecosystem. Two non-fig species are also important. Habitat features and local threats at Athikadavu valley were assessed. The distribution and conservation status of Malabar Pied Hornbill in the Western Ghats was reviewed. Conservation of hornbill habitats, particularly the lowland riparian vegetation, is imperative.

Nesting tree preference of Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus) in Pillur valley, Western Ghats, Southern India

“…The nesting trees of the MPH were observed at a lower altitude (< 450 m) in riverine habitats of the Pillur valley. Reddy et al (1990) and Balasubramanian et al (2004) stated that the importance of riverine habitats for the conservation of the MPH has been clearly underlined over the years. Mudappa & Raman (2009) recorded the MPH most recurrently at lower altitude (< 600 m) in moist deciduous and riverine areas on the Western Ghats.…”

“…Mudappa & Raman (2009) recorded the MPH most recurrently at lower altitude (< 600 m) in moist deciduous and riverine areas on the Western Ghats. Balasubramanian et al (2004) observed that the distribution and variation in a number of the MPH in the Athikadavu valley region were strongly governed by the availability of fruit trees, their fruiting season and the availability of suitable roosting habitat.…”

“…Nesting tree survey For surveying the cavity-nesting trees of the MPH, the riparian habitats of the Pillur Valley were thoroughly searched on tall trees with binoculars. This survey was performed in the breeding season (November 2017 to April 2018) (Balasubramanian et al, 2004). Most of the nest trees were located through intensive searches in the area by inspecting potential nest trees with cavities.…”

“…Past research on hornbills in India has addressed many aspects of the hornbill biology such as breeding, nest selection, and diet (Reddy, 1988;Kannan, 1994;Kannan & James, 1997;Mudappa & Kannan, 1997;Raman, 2001;Balasubramanian et al, 2004;Datta & Rawat 2004;Mudappa & Raman, 2009). Less information is available on distribution and abundance patterns of hornbills, particularly in the face of large scale landscape transformations and continuing fragmentation and disturbance (Reddy et al, 1990;Datta, 1998;O'Brien et al, 1998;Raman & Mudappa, 2003).…”

“…Less information is available on distribution and abundance patterns of hornbills, particularly in the face of large scale landscape transformations and continuing fragmentation and disturbance (Reddy et al, 1990;Datta, 1998;O'Brien et al, 1998;Raman & Mudappa, 2003). A recent survey by Balasubramanian et al (2004) recorded hornbill distribution at a number of sites in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Goa in the Western Ghats as well as in some parts of the Eastern Ghats. This survey found the Malabar Grey Hornbill to be the most frequently observed species and reported vegetation types in which each species occurred in the region.…”