The hornbill is a large, precious and beautiful bird, characterized by its long eyelashes and a large thick beak (the hornbill is the only bird with eyelashes!). Most hornbills also have helmets on their beaks, which resemble rhinoceros horns.
About hornbills
They are single-minded lovebirds
The hornbill is a very loyal bird and adheres to the "monogamous" system. After the male and female hornbills are paired, they are always inseparable from each other to forage and roost together.
They are also mysterious cave nesting birds
Hornbills do not build nests, but look for suitable holes in large trees for nesting. Surprisingly, the female hornbill will seal herself in the hole and peck out of the nest until the young are older.
They're also great dads
After "starting a family", the female hornbill will be responsible for giving birth to children, and the matter of raising the family falls on the male hornbill. For about 6 months from egg laying, hatching to brooding, the male hornbill must go out to feed the female and her chicks as both the female and the young are kept in the nest. If the male bird is killed, the female and young birds will starve to death, so to speak, killing one and destroying the whole family!
There are about 50 species of hornbills in the world, and 8 of them can be seen in Sarawak, Borneo. Did you know? One of them is the state bird here!
What kind of hornbill is the state bird of Sarawak?
Not sure the answer?
Then follow the editor to reveal it!
Sarawak state birds
The Malayan hornbill (Rhinoceros hornbill) is the state bird of Sarawak and is often referred to as the "Hornbill" due to its particularly upturned helmet. If you look closely, you'll also notice that the eyes of the male Malayan hornbill are red, while the eyes of the female are white.
Attentive visitors may also notice that even Sarawak's state coat of arms is in the image of a hornbill.
Malayan hornbill
The state bird is the hornbill; There is a hornbill in the state coat of arms; Even this land is known as the "Land of Hornbills". The main reason why Sarawak and hornbills are so closely related is that this beautiful bird has a very high status in the hearts of the locals.
Hornbills are sacred animals
For the local Dayak people, the hornbill is seen as their god of war and a symbol of good luck, and if they see a hornbill flying past their house, it is a good omen and a sign of good luck coming to their tribe.
The Iban tribe, on the other hand, regard the hornbill as a messenger of the gods, believing that the hornbill is a sacred animal that brings news to the supernatural world.
Because of this, hornbills are also integrated into all aspects of the local tribal culture, including their art, festivals, costumes, and dances.
Hornbill statue located on Damai Beach
Hornbill is a symbol of culture
If you've ever visited the local ethnic tribes, you're sure to be impressed by their exquisite costumes, handicrafts, and especially totems. Among them, the occurrence rate of hornbills is extremely high.
For example, the feathers on the hornbill's tail are often used to decorate their headdresses and weapons, including blow arrows and machetes. Because they believe that warriors who wear hornbill feathers will be stronger than their opponents.
Traditional costumes of the Iban and Ulu peoples
In addition, there is the "Tree of Life" totem, which symbolizes the origin of life. This is a very common totem, and the walls of longhouses, wooden boats, shields, sabets, and costumes are decorated with this fern-like curved tree totem, and at the top of the tree of life, a hornbill is often painted to symbolize courage or the meaning of protection.
The totem of the Tree of Life
In addition, there are also movements in local dances that imitate the flight of hornbills. Locals call it Datun Julud or Hornbill Dance. It is a traditional dance of the Kenyan people of Sarawak to celebrate the return of warriors. An indispensable item in the dance is a fan made of hornbill feathers, which is held by the dancer with both hands.
Of course, today's fans are all fans that imitate hornbill feathers.
In addition to art, the Iban also preserve a celebration related to hornbills, the Gawai Kenyalang Festival. Carving a hornbill into a god is a ritual at festivals, and only warriors or respected leaders who have killed countless enemies are allowed to cut down the wood used to carve hornbill statues.
The hornbill carvings are also placed on other bird festivals to be worshipped. The carving is believed to represent the leader of the secular birds and is used to welcome Sengalang Burong, the god of omenous birds, to human feasts and celebrations, which is quite sacred.
Image source: wilsonleslie89.blogspot.com
Hornbills come for a beautiful encounter
Two-thirds of Sarawak's land is tropical rainforest, which provides favourable conditions for the survival of hornbills, and when you visit the "Land of Hornbills", how can you miss out on a beautiful encounter with hornbills?
Here are a few good places to see hornbills:
- Scottrang River;
- Ndimao Wildlife Conservation Center;
- Mount Garting National Park;
- Shamalaru National Park;
- Nia Cave;
- Ramber National Park;
- Mulu National Park.
Image source: dee-luxejourneys.com.au
Of course, in Sarawak, it's not just hornbills that are famous~ What other exotic animals can you list that are unique to Sarawak?
CY丨EDITOR
Edited by KS丨
Tourism Malaysia丨Source
Tourism Malaysia丨Source
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