 Hornbill
Hornbills are known to be choosy feeders and supporting such discriminating birds is an
indication of the forest's well being. In the tropics fruiting time is unpredictable. The
hornbill cannot rely on seasonality and so spends much time visiting different trees and
checking for ripeness. They hold off until exactly the right moment -- too soon and the
fruit is bitter, left any longer and somebody else will eat their meal. Timing is all.
During their nesting period, the hornbill's domestic arrangements are as as wonderful
as anything found in nature. The male hornbill muds his mate into a hollow tree, leaving
only a small hole through which he passes food for her and the growing chicks. Male
hornbills have been  seen to swallow as many as 70 small
fruits and carry them to the nest to be regurgitated to their young. The nest hole is not
a prison -- the female is capable of breaking out and will do if disturbed. |
