Distribution and Status
The entire population (estimate of about 200 birds in 1905 and 1984) is restricted to the single island of Narcondam in the Andaman Island chain. The island is clothed in forests and rises to a height of about 2300 feet above sea level and is largely devoid of human presence. The island is often hit by cyclonic storms in the Bay of Bengal. In 2000, an estimate of 434 birds was made for the population with a density of 54 to 72 birds per square kilometre on the island with an area of about 6.8 square kilometres. Some human presence on the island has also been noted. Since 2009 it has had a Conservation status of endangered. A nest site density of 2.8 pairs per square kilometer has been estimated.
Birds have been maintained in captivity although they have not bred. In 1972, S. A. Hussain visited Narcondam Island and captured two adult hornbills and their chicks. The two chicks were taken to Bombay after the male died during the voyage and the female escaped in Madras, never to be found again. The chicks grew and lived for about 6 years but with age, the female showed increasing aggression towards the male sibling. In one accident the injury inflicted on the male resulted in its death.
Read more about this topic: Narcondam Hornbill
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