Red Billed Hornbill

by Marcy Wielfaert

Title

Red Billed Hornbill

Artist

Marcy Wielfaert

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

As it turns out, the red billed hornbill, one of many new birds that I saw in Africa, is quite amazing. It always pleases me to see new species while in a new place, and I know I'll be returning home to do a little research about the new bird. These exotic looking creatures nest in tree cavities and once the female lays her eggs (usually 3-6 in number), she builds a barrier made of a plaster of droppings, mud, and fruit pulp effectively blocking the nest off from the rest of the world. She creates a small aperture in the wall, just big enough for the male to transfer food in to her as she sits on the eggs. Once the eggs hatch she stays with the chicks behind the wall as the male continues to bring food for the family. When the chicks grow to the point where the nest is too small for both the mother bird and her chicks, she breaks the wall, comes out, and immediately rebuilds the wall from the other side. Then the male and female continue to feed through the designated hole until the chicks are big enough to make it on their own. Is that not amazing? These birds are found all over Africa. I saw this one in Kruger National Park.

Uploaded

May 26th, 2019

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