Ocyrus birostris
size 50 cm Male/female
dimorphic
Characteristics : I have
developed a great liking for this big clumsy looking bird because at least one
family is breeding in my neighbourhood and visits the trees around my house
quite often. The casque at the base of a large bill makes them look quite
distinct and the amount of noise they make with their high pitched cackling
voice will make you notice them easily. Like all bird chicks the babies look
bigger than the parents and its rather funny seeing them trying to balance themselves
on a tree branch, their long tails bobbing up and down. Pune (Maharashtra,
India) still has some very old jackfruit, mango and banyan trees which are much
favoured by these birds. They eat fruits as well as small animals and insects.
Distribution : They are found all over India in wooded areas. They
are infrequent or absent in the bordering countries and the east coast of India
and Assam.
Breeding : They breed from March to June. They nest in the hollows
of old trees laying 2-3 dull white eggs. Peculiarly enough, the female confines
herself inside the hollow and then the hole is walled up with the birds’
droppings till only a slit remains through which the male feeds the female till
the eggs hatch. Once the chicks emerge the wall is broken and thereafter both
parents take part in raising the chicks.
Other varieties of Hornbills
found in parts of India are the -
Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus),
Malabar Pied Hornbill (Antheracoceros coronatus),
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris),
Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis),
Brown Hornbill (Anorrhinus tickelli),
Rufous-necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis),
Wreathed Hornbill (Aceros undulates),
Narcondam Hornbill (Aceros narcondami) and
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