Encounter with a family of Oriental Pied Hornbills

on 1st April 2012

“My wife and I were travelling when she spotted a small flock of Oriental Pied Hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris convexus) by the road side (along the old trunk road near Tanjung Malim). We scrambled to stop at a safe location and slowly made our way back to them on foot. There were 5 of them – 1 adult male, 1 adult female and 3 immature females (another option is moulting – value opinions here).

“They were busy preening except for the adult male that repeatedly checked out the street light as a nesting site (above, left to right: adult male, adult female and immature female). The adult female was beside him when this activity was on going. Oriental Pied Hornbills have been reported to nest in containers/man made structures locally LINK.

“The above image shows the adult female in flight.

“The image below (left) shows an immature – notice the brown in the plumage of the wings. The image on the right is a composite showing male-female differentiation (female above). The female has a smaller casque and red-brown spot at base of bill. Also some iris differences hard to see in these images (female red-brown, male red, see Wells 1999).

“My initial impression was a family group, but with the ‘nesting behaviour’ wonder if there is any polygamous behaviour or adaption due to dwindling numbers?”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS & Datin Dr Lim Swee-Im
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
17th March 2012

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.

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