Narcondam Hornbill - India 2008 (Special Cover)

Narcondam Hornbill

Country: India
Date of Issue: 03/10/2008
Series Name:  54th  Wildlife Week Celebration 2008
Bird: Narcondam Hornbill - Rhyticeros narcondami

Collectors Corner:  This cover is released to commemorate the Wildlife Week Celebration 2008, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This event is celebrated every year during first week of October. The main aim of the Wildlife Week was to make the younger generation aware about the importance of wildlife. It was aimed to motivate them to know how they can help in protecting the animals and birds.

This cover is canceled at Port Blair which is the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. FDC's which are canceled at this islands are pretty rare. There is no stamps have been issued on this bird till this day. I would like to thank ROHINI ANDHARE, Bilaspur for arranging this rare Special Cover for me.

Narcondam Hornbill - Rhyticeros narcondami

Status: Endangered

Habitat: Narcondam Island (India)  
Features: The Narcondam Hornbill is a small hornbill at 66 cm long. The males and females differ in plumage. The male has a rufous head and neck, black body and upper parts glossed with green. Females are all black. There is a bluish white neck patch and the tail is white in both sexes. Both males and females have a bill with a few folds on the upper side towards the base of the upper mandible. The skin around the eye is bluish. The iris of the male is orange red while the female has a olive brown with a pale yellow ring. The bill is waxy and the furrows of the casque are brownish. The bill is pinkish towards the base. The legs are black and the sole is yellow.

Facts: The bird got its name from its residence place Narcondam Island a volcanic island. In Sanskrit Narcondam means "Pit of Hell". 

Narcondam Hornbill (FDC front)

Narcondam Hornbill (FDC back)