Oriental Pied Hornbill Second Pakistan Record
Dear Readers,
RMK has been spreading the birding word to wildlife photographers based in Pakistan and his efforts are paying off handsomely with some fantastic records. This time its a second record for Pakistan in the form of an Oriental Pied Hornbill. I'll let Muhammad Babar describe this exciting discovery in his own words:
"I would like to share my experience of spotting/watching "Oriental Pied Hornbill" in Lahore with you.
On 21 May 2016, 6:40 am, a typical warm day , we (Me and my couple of friends) were observing nesting behaviour of White-browed Fantail in my garden. While scanning the surroundings for more small birds, we were looking around. Suddenly we noticed a crow was chasing a bird, comparatively large with huge beak. We initially though this was another bird probably another Crow with something in his bill. But when i checked it from my Lens, i was surprisingly shocked to see a Hornbill , and not just a Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill. It was incredible as i knew only one Hornbill in Pakistan , specially Lahore Region, which is Indian Grey Hornbill, and never heard of any documented record (Oriental Pied Hornbill) before. Luckily i took couple of images before it was out of my sight. Thoroughly enjoyed every millisecond of that moment :) Babar".
From Islbirder:
Babar, what a fantastic record for Pakistan and very well done for being able to acquire a couple of photographs. The bird in question, is indeed, an Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris). The bird is an adult female; recognisable by the black tip to the upper mandible. As with all records of extremely rare or new birds for a country, the risk of it being an escaped cage or aviary bird needs to be considered. I have checked as far as I can and I do not believe that Lahore Zoo has captive Oriental Pied Hornbills in its collection, so the risk of it having escaped from there is ruled out (although my enquiries are by no means exhaustive and you may wish to enquire personally).
Bird-keeping by individuals within Pakistan is a popular hobby so the bird may have escaped from such a source. However, CITES regulations on Hornbill species is tight. I have looked at your photos closely to try to detect the usual characteristics associated with escaped aviary birds (feather abrasion, leg rings etc). Whilst some of the primary feathers look worn and I cannot see the legs but this does not completely rule out wild origin. This species is found in India predominantly in Assam, Uttarakhand and West Bengal and it is more widely distributed in Malaysia.
If accepted as a wild bird this would be the SECOND record for Pakistan. The first Pakistan record of this species was a bird photographed in Mirpur, Poonch on 13 March 1990.
Great work Babar!
RMK has been spreading the birding word to wildlife photographers based in Pakistan and his efforts are paying off handsomely with some fantastic records. This time its a second record for Pakistan in the form of an Oriental Pied Hornbill. I'll let Muhammad Babar describe this exciting discovery in his own words:
"I would like to share my experience of spotting/watching "Oriental Pied Hornbill" in Lahore with you.
On 21 May 2016, 6:40 am, a typical warm day , we (Me and my couple of friends) were observing nesting behaviour of White-browed Fantail in my garden. While scanning the surroundings for more small birds, we were looking around. Suddenly we noticed a crow was chasing a bird, comparatively large with huge beak. We initially though this was another bird probably another Crow with something in his bill. But when i checked it from my Lens, i was surprisingly shocked to see a Hornbill , and not just a Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill. It was incredible as i knew only one Hornbill in Pakistan , specially Lahore Region, which is Indian Grey Hornbill, and never heard of any documented record (Oriental Pied Hornbill) before. Luckily i took couple of images before it was out of my sight. Thoroughly enjoyed every millisecond of that moment :) Babar".
From Islbirder:
Babar, what a fantastic record for Pakistan and very well done for being able to acquire a couple of photographs. The bird in question, is indeed, an Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris). The bird is an adult female; recognisable by the black tip to the upper mandible. As with all records of extremely rare or new birds for a country, the risk of it being an escaped cage or aviary bird needs to be considered. I have checked as far as I can and I do not believe that Lahore Zoo has captive Oriental Pied Hornbills in its collection, so the risk of it having escaped from there is ruled out (although my enquiries are by no means exhaustive and you may wish to enquire personally).
Bird-keeping by individuals within Pakistan is a popular hobby so the bird may have escaped from such a source. However, CITES regulations on Hornbill species is tight. I have looked at your photos closely to try to detect the usual characteristics associated with escaped aviary birds (feather abrasion, leg rings etc). Whilst some of the primary feathers look worn and I cannot see the legs but this does not completely rule out wild origin. This species is found in India predominantly in Assam, Uttarakhand and West Bengal and it is more widely distributed in Malaysia.
If accepted as a wild bird this would be the SECOND record for Pakistan. The first Pakistan record of this species was a bird photographed in Mirpur, Poonch on 13 March 1990.
Great work Babar!
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| Adult Female Oriental Pied Hornbill Muhammad Babar |
