Subhasis Banerjee

NARCONDAM HORNBILL PRESERVE Set up in 1977 AD, this small sanctuary around Narcondam Island in the Andaman archipelago is virtually a Narcondam Hornbill preserve. The Narcondam Hornbill is a highly endangered bird species, which is found only here. Accessibility : A 294kms drive from Port Blair takes one to Dighlipur on the east coast of North Andaman. Visitors also have the option of travelling overnight on a ferry from Port Blair to reach Mayabandar and then take another 56kms boat ride to reach Dighlipur, which is the jump-off point to visit this sanctuary. This avifaunal haven is then reached by a 90kms boat ride. Accommodation : There is no accommodation inside the sanctuary. Visitors have to stay in the Government Guest House at Dighlipur. Season : November to March.

HORNBILL The Hornbills ( Buceros bicornis ) are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved beak which is frequently brightly coloured and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals. The great hornbill is long-lived and is predominantly frugivorous but is an opportunist and will prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds. The most prominent feature of the hornbill is the bright yellow and black  casque  on top of its massive bill. The casque appears U-shaped when viewed from the front and the top is concave, with two ridges along the sides that form points in the front. The back of the casque is reddish in females, while the underside of the front and back of the casque is black in males. The wing beats are heavy and the sound produced by birds in flight can be heard from a distance. This sound has be...