Luzon Hornbill
Encyclopedia
The Luzon Hornbill sometimes called Luzon Tarictic Hornbill, is a species of hornbill
in the Bucerotidae family. It is endemic to forests on Luzon
and nearby islands in the northern Philippines
. As is the case with all Philippine tarictic hornbill
s, it has been considered a subspecies
of P. panini.
There are two subspecies
of the Luzon Hornbill: The relatively widespread nominate, and subniger from the islands of Polillo
and Patnanongan. It was hunted for meat, but now is considered to be safe as a new hunting ban has been enforced.
in Thailand
with this species too. There are several zoos in the Philippines which keep the species and some have breeding success. San Diego Wild Animal Park
used to keep and breed the species. Now however the only individual of this species outside Asia are kept at zoos in Berlin and Frankfurt
. Berlin keeps the nominate subspecies and Frankfurt have a pair of the subniger. There has been some problems with all the tarictic hornbills in captivity because all species used to be considered conspecific. For example, the birds at Frankfurt are listed as subniger and yet do not have the correct bill colouration.
Hornbill
Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly-colored and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Both the common English and the scientific name of the family...
in the Bucerotidae family. It is endemic to forests on Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
and nearby islands in the northern Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. As is the case with all Philippine tarictic hornbill
Tarictic Hornbill
The Tarictic Hornbill is a hornbill found in rainforests on the islands of Panay, Negros, Masbate, and Guimaras, and formerly Ticao, in the Philippines...
s, it has been considered a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of P. panini.
There are two subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the Luzon Hornbill: The relatively widespread nominate, and subniger from the islands of Polillo
Polillo Island
Polillo is an island in the Northeastern region of the Philippine archipelago. It is separated from the island of Luzon by the Polillo Strait.The island itself is subdivided across three municipalities. The municipality of Polillo takes up the Southern part of the island...
and Patnanongan. It was hunted for meat, but now is considered to be safe as a new hunting ban has been enforced.
In captivity
This species is kept in captivity. Jurong Bird Park keeps the species in their hornbill complex. There are two pairs in two different aviaries and Jurong has bred the species at one point. There is Safari WorldSafari World
Safari World is a zoo in Bangkok, Thailand that consists of two parks named Safari Park and Marine Park. The park was opened in 1988 with a total area of for its open zoo and for its bird park.A major renovation to enhance effectiveness of land use began on April 17,1989 and its total area...
in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
with this species too. There are several zoos in the Philippines which keep the species and some have breeding success. San Diego Wild Animal Park
San Diego Wild Animal Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, formerly known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park, is a zoo in the San Pasqual Valley area of San Diego, California, near Escondido. It is one of the largest tourist attractions in San Diego County. The Park houses a large array of wild and endangered animals including...
used to keep and breed the species. Now however the only individual of this species outside Asia are kept at zoos in Berlin and Frankfurt
Frankfurt Zoological Garden
thumb|300px|Main entranceThe Frankfurt Zoological Garden is the zoo of Frankfurt, Germany. It features over 5,000 animals of more than 600 species on more than 13 hectares.The zoo was founded in 1858 and is the second oldest Zoo in Germany...
. Berlin keeps the nominate subspecies and Frankfurt have a pair of the subniger. There has been some problems with all the tarictic hornbills in captivity because all species used to be considered conspecific. For example, the birds at Frankfurt are listed as subniger and yet do not have the correct bill colouration.