Indonesia is an ideal habitat for hornbills. Situated on the equator, the country's forests receive sunlight year-round, providing a steady supply of fruit for the hornbills. This abundance of fruit helps the hornbills meet their nutritional needs and also supports their nesting trees.
Based on research findings, hornbills are frugivorous birds, meaning that their primary food source is fruit. They consume between 200 and 600 grams of fruit per day. The fruit they eat has specific criteria: it should be fresh with a hard husk (drupaceous), rich in fat (such as figs), and contain water and various nutrients that are absorbed by their bodies.
During fruiting seasons, hornbills will roost and feed on the canopy of trees. They use their beaks to break down fruit, crush it, and then swallow it. Fruit that falls to the ground is not part of their menu.
The hornbills plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. When it eats fruit, the seeds pass through its digestive system and are later excreted in its droppings. Given that hornbills can fly up to 100,000 square meters, the seeds that end up on the forest floor have the potential to grow into new trees.
During breeding season, male and female hornbills play distinct roles in spreading new forest seeds. The female hornbill nests in a natural tree cavity and relies on the male for food. Since hornbills are known for their cleanliness, the female disposes of waste by spraying it from the nest.
The male hornbill has an instinct to guard the nest and ensure food availability for its mate. As a result, its range is more limited during this period. When it travels from food trees to the nest to feed its mate, it often drops fruit on the forest floor, which eventually grows into new trees. This leads to forest regeneration occurring around the nesting tree.
This cycle will continue as long as the hornbill lives. Its important role has earned it the title of True Forest Farmer
The hornbill's existence is under increasing threat due to hunting, logging, and deforestation. As a result, its close connection with the environment is at risk of being severed even further. The Indonesian Hornbill, which is part of Rekam Nusantara's conservation efforts, has initiated programs such as donation drives and tree adoption to help mitigate its population decline.
Therefore, not only the hornbill and the forest, but also humans, play a crucial role in maintaining the sustainability of the ecosystem.
