據說馬來犀鳥在新加坡已消失兩百多年。令人驚喜的是，十月二十八日有人在雙溪布洛濕地保護區目擊一隻馬來犀鳥的蹤影，消息一出立刻在觀鳥圈引起轟動，許多鳥友紛紛趕赴現場，希望能親眼一睹這位「遠道而來的稀客」。
這是一隻半成鳥的雄性馬來犀鳥，體型已然龐大。牠在樹林間飛躍穿梭的身影極為壯觀。那巨大的喙強而有力，只見牠在樹幹上輕啄數下，一大片樹皮便應聲剝落，藏在底下的昆蟲瞬間成了牠的美餐。牠也特別喜歡啄食無花果樹上的果實。
目前尚不清楚這隻犀鳥的來歷，但許多觀鳥者都希望牠能在此長久棲息。對馬來西亞的達雅族而言，馬來犀鳥是象徵勇武的戰神，同時也是馬來西亞的國鳥與砂拉越的州鳥。
It is said that the Rhinoceros Hornbill has been absent from Singapore for more than two centuries. To everyone’s surprise, on October 28, one was sighted at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. The news quickly caused a stir among birdwatchers, and many enthusiasts rushed to the site, hoping to catch a glimpse of this “rare visitor from afar.”
The bird is a subadult male Rhinoceros Hornbill, already quite large in size. Its movements as it flew and leapt between the trees were truly magnificent. With its powerful, massive bill, it could easily peck at a tree trunk—after just a few strikes, a large piece of bark would fall away, revealing insects beneath, which it promptly devoured. It also seemed particularly fond of figs from the fig trees.
The origin of this hornbill remains a mystery, but many birdwatchers hope it will stay and make this place its home. To the Dayak people of Malaysia, the Rhinoceros Hornbill is a symbol of their war god, and it is also Malaysia’s national bird as well as the state bird of Sarawak.
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