KOH YAO NOI directory
Fauna & Flora
THE KALAO: Hornbill, nok ngeak (thai), Buceros sp. Anthracoceros sp.
Species most frequently seen on Koh Yao islands: Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthraceros albirostris) and Great Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros)
They particularly enjoy eating the fruits of the Tabeak Tree (Urticaceae ?).
It is quite common, in some protected areas of Koh Yao Noi or in all the islets of the bay (they nest in the islands forest) to observe this unique bird: you will at first hear the very caracteristic voice of the kalao (kekekekek, ayip ayip ayip), then dicover one kalao high in the branches, on the palm leaves of the coconut trees, then a second one (they always go by couples, breeding in jan feb)
I saw last year flying across the sky, more than 20 kalaos, maybe migrating from a former place to a new one, more tranquil.
Other observation in a coconut plantation next to the sea, at the end of the afternoon: 4 couples with juveniles feeding peacefully together on the bays of ton khoy (streplus asper sp.); this group of 11 birds was composed of 3 distinct species (Buceros rhinoceros, Anthraceros albirostris and 3rd identification not certain Anthraceros malayanus).
GC 15 aug 09
ornithological info about the Kalao
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbill
http://www.birdlife.org/search.html?sp-q=hornbill
http://www.coraciiformestag.com/Conservation/Conservation.htm
ethnographic info (mythical stories) about the Kalao: the Kalao bird appears in many mythical stories throughout the Malay Archipelago. It is as well represented in traditional art, weaving, sculptures. I can’t find relevant info about this matter. Please feel free to send me all data available. Thanks.
marine life
flora & fauna
human activities
tidal ecosystems
the naturalist note
book