• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This poorly known species is listed as Near Threatened as it is likely to be declining moderately rapidly owing to habitat loss, as well as exploitation by hunters and trappers. Its population size is likely to be small, as it is largely restricted to primary forest, and it should be carefully monitored.

Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it has been described as rare in general. The species is also dependent on primary forest, which is undergoing moderately rapid forest loss within its small range. Hence, while the population has not been directly quantified, it is likely to be < 10,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
Data on direct trends are lacking, but a moderately rapid population decline is likely to be taking place as a result of habitat loss, as well as pressure from hunting and trapping. Between 2001 and 2019, forest cover at >30% was lost at a rate of 8.1% (Global Forest Watch, 2020). This equates to a decline rate of 10% over three generations. Between 2016 and 2019, forest cover of >30% was lost at a rate of 2.7% (Global Forest Watch 2020). Projecting this rate of loss over three generations equates to a suspected future decline rate of 19% over three generations based on forest loss alone. In addition to forest loss, the species is also subject to pressure from hunting and trapping, hence the overall rate of decline is suspected to fall in the 15-25% band.

This species is endemic to the Philippines occurring on three islands, Mindanao and its two small satellites Camiguin Sur and Dinagat (Collar et al. 1999). It is poorly known, but considered locally fairly common in suitable habitat.

This species is poorly known, but most records come from between 300 and 1,000 m asl in primary lowland forest. The species has been recorded to lay eggs in March. Captive breeding records show that the female emerges with the chick after 92 days of incarceration. The species is known to be sympatric with Rufous hornbill. It is often found in pairs, but will also form small flocks (Poonswad et al. 2013).

This species is threatened by forest clearance for agriculture and logging, particularly given its strong links to unspoilt primary forest. It is also subject to pressure from hunting and trapping for trade.

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. The European ex-situ population has two adult individuals (1 male and 1 female) (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria data, as reported by K. Brouwer in litt. 2020). 

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys across the species's range to determine the magnitude of declines and rates of range contraction. Campaign for the protection of remaining tracts of lowland forest throughout the species's range. Monitor hunting and trapping pressure.

Text account compilers
Datta, A., Clark, J., Patil, I.

Contributors
Brouwer, K. & Taylor, J.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Writhed Hornbill Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/writhed-hornbill-rhabdotorrhinus-leucocephalus 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.