Following the collapse of the old albezia tree (Paraserianthes falcataria) at Eng Neo, the pair of females, Great ( Buceros bicronis) and Rhinoceros Hornbills (Buceros rhinoceros), has moved to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The pair was indulging in courtship rituals around the old cavity nearly every day during 2006-7.
Both hornbills have now found a new cavity at Bukit Timah to continue with their rituals. They are roosting together nightly in a nearby albezia tree, whereas previously they were roosting at separate locations.
Besides figs, they were seen feeding on the fruits of belinjau (Gnetum gnemon) (left, Rhinoceros Hornbill at belinjau tree courtesy of Hornbill Project, Singapore.
Reference:
Mohd. Fauzy b Mos, Marc Cremades, Lai Huimin, Sunia Teo, Sadali b Mohd. Tali & Ng Soon Chye. Re-introduction of the Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros bicronis) into Singapore (2009). Paper presented at the 5th Intn. Hornbill Conference, Singapore March 2009.
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Actually at Mohd. Fauzy’s talk yesterday, March 26th, at the public session after the Hornbill Conference, he recounted how the female Great Hornbill was captured and taken to Jurong Bird Park very recently. A male Rhinocerous Hornbill from Jurong Bird Park is now in an Aviary at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, where the female Rhinocerous Hornbill is familiarising herself with him through the bars. Both his and her DNA are being checked to confirm that both are from the same subspecies. If so, it is intended to release the male with hopes of their breeding, preferably using the artifical nest that has been set up nearby, and with which the female is already familiar. In reply to Ashley very thoughtfully enquiring about the well-being of the captured female Great Hornbill at the Bird Park, Marc Cremades said she was doing well, whilst there are hopes of finding a male Great Hornbill partner for her at a zoo/bird park in Thailand. She had a ring on her leg, clearly indicating that she had previously been a captive bird.
Oh! I must have missed the talk yesterday, March 26th. I was with some of the delegates visiting the Jurong BirdPark.
Absolutely spectacular pohtos, TP! My pal Jack in Brisbane gave me an Australian bird book for my birthday last summer, and so I can quickly look up all of Ali g’s feathered friends. Now I’ll need to get one of African birds!We have a beautiful blue heron in our frog pond (we call ’em shit-pokes, as opposed to green herons, which are shite-pokes) and it has returned (or its progeny) every year for fifteen years. We grow some excellent frogs here in Maine!Hi Trin. :o) I’ve been busier than a…one-fingered girl in a nose-picking contest? Heck…that man’s a hard act to follow. :o)Writing, working, getting lip from teens, and practicing for a charity show I’m doing in 20 sleeps! Would rather be counting down to Africa!