12:00 AM, March 07, 2018 / LAST
MODIFIED: 12:00 AM, March 07, 2018
Loss of forest habitats, food
shortage threaten the large-beaked bird in Bangladesh
Mintu Deshwara, Moulvibazar
Noted for its exceptionally
beautiful large beak, oriental pied hornbill sees a gradual decrease in our
country mainly due to gradual loss of dense forests.
“Only ten years ago, one would
often come across this bird and hear its call in Lawacherra forest. But they
are rarely seen now,” said Swapan Deb Sajal, director of Sreemanagl-based
Bangladesh Bonyo Prani Seba Foundation, an organisation working for wildlife
care.
“The birds have distinct yellow
beaks. Their body is deep black. But the abdomen and tail is white,” he said.
“Oriental pied hornbill is hunted
for the huge beak and big feathers. Besides, some unscrupulous kabiraj (herbal
practitioner) in the rural areas use it for treatment of diseases,” he said.
“Locally called 'kao dhanesh',
the bird measures 55 to 60 centimetres in length, and its scientific name is anthracoceros albirostris. Eminent bird
researcher Salim Ali mentioned the bird in his book,” said Dr Monirul H Khan,
professor of zoology at Jahangirnagar University.
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