Meet our newest addition to our knit bird collection: the Rufous Headed Hornbill (Walden’s Hornbill), known locally as Dulungan. The rufous hornbill likes to live in rainforests and is one of the bigger species of hornbills that you can find the country. It is a critically endangered species with an estimated global population of 1,500 to 5,000 birds. Endemic to Panay and Negros in the Philippines, the vast majority live on Panay, while they are likely extinct on Guimaras and Negros.
This plushie version is a perfect way to educate our children about this endangered species and about the importance of taking care of the natural habitats in which these birds live. This handknitted hornbill is approximately 10 inches tall (without the tail). Do remember, that each hand knit item is unique and sizes may vary slightly.
Hand knit with love by a mama who also plants rice in the rice terraces (take a look at the P20 bill to see what they look like).
Knitting Expedition was begun as a way to provide supplementary income for the women of Ifugao to maintain the rice terraces. Instead of leaving the region to find better paying jobs, the income from the sales of the products allows them to stay and tend to the rice terraces that are not only an awe-inspiring legacy of their town but also of the Philippines and which has provided sustenance for generations of their families. The brand Knitting Expedition also signifies the journey of founders, Candy and Aueeie, as knitters and the distance that the hand-knit products have to travel to make it to your homes.
