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Loneliness makes strange bedfellows: Great and Rhinoceros Hornbills

on 4th May 2006

A pair of hornbills comprising a Great (Buceros bicornis) and a Rhinoceros (B. rhinoceros), both females, have been visiting an old albizia tree (Paraserianthes falcataria) around the Eng Neo area from late February to April to check on a cavity as a possible nesting site.

Every morning and sometimes in the evening, the birds would fly to the tree and inspect the cavity. The Great Hornbill plays the role of a male, trying to lure the Rhinoceros to the cavity by placing food inside. It then flies to the nearby tree to join the Rhinoceros and sometimes feed the latter as part of their courtship ritual. Once in a while the Rhinoceros would respond to the Great’s urging and fly to the cavity to inspect it.

The Great has also been observed to peck hard on the periphery of the cavity in an effort to enlarge the opening.

After some time spent outside the cavity, both birds would fly around, to alight on the yellow flame (Peltophorum pterocarpum) and other trees around the area. There, the pair would stay close together for up to half an hour or so. The Great Hornbill, a probable escapee from Jurong Bird Park, has a metal tag on her right leg. The pair are obviously used to people as they appear tame.

This pair has been seen in Hindehede Quarry prospecting for a potential nesting cavity.

YC Wee
Singapore
4th May 2006

Ng Bee Choo has this to say: “A pair of Great Hornbills died in Sentosa island a number of years ago. This Great Hornbill must be very desperate. Morten Strange has seen it once in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, checking a nesting hole. Both hornbills belong to the genus Buceros. In Thailand, according to Dr Pilai Poonswad, these two hornbills mated and produced a hybrid. In the above case both birds are females. They have paired up for company… however, if they try to mate, this must be a case of lesbian birds. Must be recorded as a case study of birds in desperation.”

Top image (Great left, Rhinoceros right) and bottom of Great inspecting cavity by YC.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

7 Responses

  1. Langkawi-13 jan 09/ great hornbill nesting near sanctuary. 2 days ago when the male was feeding the female, we heard gun shot. we saw him panicking and flew towards where the shot came from. yesterday and today we observe he did not come to feed his female. we suspect the worst. what are we to do? do you have any suggestions ?. Is there anyway to save the female inside the nest?. any body please?

  2. Am no expert on hornbill. I assume once the male stops feeding, the birds in the nest will eventually starve. Unless the female is at the right stage to break out. I assume the nest is high up and difficult to access. Rescue? Then it would be a full time job to look after… no guarantee… Sad situation.

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