Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is largely dependent on lowland evergreen forest within a region experiencing high rates of deforestation. Although it may be more tolerant of secondary habitats than some other hornbill species, high hunting pressure is likely exacerbating the population decline caused by habitat loss. The species is suspected to be undergoing a large population reduction. Therefore, it is listed as Vulnerable.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it has been described as locally common.
Trend justification
An analysis of deforestation between 2000 and 2012 estimated forest loss within the species's range at a rate equivalent to 36.7% over three generation lengths (28 years) (Tracewski et al. 2016). Whilst the species may be tolerant of some habitat degradation and secondary habitats, it is also severely threatened by hunting, and its actual rate of population decline is likely greater than the estimate decline based on forest loss alone. Thus, the rate of decline is placed in the band 30-49% over three generations. Assuming the recent rate of decline remains constant, the species is projected to decline by 30-49% over three generations.
Anthracoceros malayanus is confined to the Sundaic lowlands of peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan and Sumatra (including the Lingga, Bangka, Belitung islands), Indonesia and Brunei (BirdLife International 2001). It is generally scarce or locally common in suitable habitat. Habitat loss has already driven it to the verge of extinction in Thailand.
This species occurs in lowland primary evergreen forest, usually below 200 m, but rarely up to 600 m, where it prefers areas near watercourses or flood plains, as well as gallery and swamp forest (Poonswad et al. 2013). It is also found in selectively logged and tall secondary forest. It feeds mainly on large fruits, but occasionally takes small animals including insects, bats and bird eggs (Kemp et al. 2018). Its breeding behaviour is not well known; breeding is apparently not limited to a season and occurs throughout the year, but not always annually (Kemp et al. 2018). Nests are placed in natural tree cavities or possibly in woodpecker holes (Kemp et al. 2018).
Forest destruction in the Sundaic lowlands of Indonesia has been extensive as a result of commercial and illegal logging, conversion to agriculture (particularly plantations) and increasing human population pressure. Even though the species can tolerate a moderate level of habitat degradation, its preference for flat lowland forests places it at high risk, as these areas are particularly impacted by deforestation, especially in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula (Kemp et al. 2018). An analysis of forest loss from 2000 to 2012 estimated forest loss within the species's range at 36.7% across three generation lengths (Tracewski et al. 2016). The species may also be taken as 'bycatch' by hunters targeting Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil (R. Wirth in litt. 2017).
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.
c.70 cm. Medium-sized hornbill with black plumage and elongated central tail feathers; outer tail with broad white tips; male has a pale yellow bill and casque, dark red eyes and a broad white superciliary stripe; female has a smaller bill and casque coloured black and paler red eyes. Voice Series of harsh, growling grrrraaa calls, sometimes combined with some kek calls.
Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Benstead, P., Gilroy, J., Hermes, C., Ashpole, J, Martin, R., Taylor, J.
Contributors
Wirth, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black Hornbill Anthracoceros malayanus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-hornbill-anthracoceros-malayanus on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.