The rhinoceros hornbill is classified as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN and faces many challenges in the wild. Because of our success, we have been trading hornbills with European zoos to increase the genetics on both continents.” “Because of this we have been able to increase the captive population in the US by 30%. “Our breeding efforts are important because we are only one of two zoos that are producing offspring,” deGraauw said. Surplus barrels may be offered to other zoos across the country to upstart their breeding programs. The barrels at the Zoo are also fitted with an infrared camera, so as to monitor the chick and mother’s progress. ![]() The avian staff modify the barrels for the hornbills by creating an entrance hole, which is roughly the size and shape of a football, as well as added a small access door in case they need to intervene and pull the chick for safety reasons. Nashville Zoo received 11 unused whiskey barrels this year. “They seek out large trees with hollowed out interiors whether created by a large woodpecker or acts of nature that cause the trunk of the tree to open up.”īecause of this, empty Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrels prove to be the perfect home away from home during chick season. ![]() ![]() “Rhino Hornbills are cavity nesters,” said Joe deGraauw, Nashville Zoo Avian Curator. Rhinoceros hornbills are fairly large birds that need large hollow spaces to lay their eggs and care for their young. Nashville Zoo and Jack Daniel’s have partnered to give our nesting rhinoceros hornbills a temporary home by donating unused whiskey barrels. Producer: John Kessler Executive Producer: Sallie Bodie © 2017 Tune In to Nature.What pairs well with Jack Daniel’s? Here at Nashville Zoo, our rhinoceros hornbills do! BirdNote’s theme music was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler. XC 284705 recorded by Bas van Balen, 94118 recorded by Eric Cannizaro. # Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. And when a hornbill does fly, the powerful strokes produce that rhythmic thrumming. And a few species spend nearly all their lives on the ground, even though they are strong fliers. ![]() Most live in mature tropical forests, but some are desert dwellers. This extra crown-piece – called a casque – curves upward and its size, shape, and color mark the bird’s age and sex, and affected status! Rhinoceros Hornbills are among the largest of the world’s 54 species of hornbills, which are spread across Africa and India to Asia and New Guinea. But its most striking feature sits on top of its head: a bright red, horn-shaped structure that looks like an extra beak, but turned upside down. Feathered mostly in black, it has an outlandish, down-curved, yellow beak shaped like that of a toucan. For one thing, it’s nearly four feet long yet flies nimbly among the trees. It’s hard to talk about a Rhinoceros Hornbill without resorting to superlatives. What sounds like an approaching helicopter are actually the wing-beats of a remarkable bird called the Rhinoceros Hornbill. A brisk, rhythmic thrumming carries through the forest in Borneo. Written by Bob Sundstrom This is BirdNote.
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