Ugliest Endangered Species: Helmeted Hornbill

by Cameron Scott · 2010-01-28 13:11:00 UTC
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Since launching the ugliest endangered species feature earlier this week, I've gotten some funny emails from wildlife advocates.

One expert with the National Wildlife Federation wrote, "I wouldn't say any of these animals are 'ugly' just a bit unique!"

This scientist may lack a bit in the sense-of-humor department. Of course these animals are unique, and that's what's so astounding about nature and why endangered animals — whether they have a face only a mother could love or they lead a chorus of coos — matter.

Take a look at this guy, for example: the helmeted hornbill, who is listed as near threatened in the IUCN's red list.

His casque, or helmet, is solid keratin and makes up 10 percent of his body weight. He uses it to fight other males for the right to mate with females and to dig in rotting bark for insects to eat. The main item in his diet, though, is fruit.

He runs into trouble in that (1) he lives in the rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia, where deforestation is happening really, really fast; and (2) his helmet is ivory-like. It's illegal to trade so-called "hornbill ivory."

Wikipedia describes the helmeted hornbills call as "hoots followed by maniacal laughter" (listen here). I just hope this guy gets the last laugh.


Photo credit: Doug Janson

Cameron Scott writes The Thin Green Line blog at SFGate (San Francisco Chronicle).
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