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Oriental Pied Hornbill in courtship mode

on 27th March 2010

Kennie Pan photographed a male Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) feeding his mate when both were perching on a branch of a tree (above). The male had a fig held at the sharp tip of his huge bill. He was offering it to his mate who responded by delicately taking over the fig with the tip of her bill.

This is courtship feeding, as seen in may species of birds… bee-eaters, barbets and koel. The two hornbills have apparently bonded and were then in courtship mode. At the same time the pair was allopreening – the male using the sharp tip of his bill to preen the female. In the image on the left, her neck is stretched backwards to expose the surface to the attention of the male.

The female on the right has a smaller casque. Note that has her right eye is closed, no doubt enjoying the preening. The casque of the male, seen to the left of the female, is larger.

No doubt copulation would follow and the pair would be prospecting for a tree cavity, if not already done so.

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

5 Responses

  1. Hi Kennie, do you mind sharing the location of this observation with me? I am compiling information on OPHs particularly in relation to the usage of artificial nestboxes. Thanks!

  2. Serene, you may wish to consider one for Pasir Ris Park as there were 3 OPHs sighted – including one pair showing courtship behaviour. They were sighted on-and-off on both sides of Sungei Tampines since last year.

  3. They are still nesting there at sungei tampines. I saw a pair of OPHs yesterday evening on my walks to Pasir ris Park

  4. There are 4 of these spotted near the Poh Brothers Driving range at Alexandra Vicinity some 2 weeks ago. Don’t know if they are still around.

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