Oriental Pied Hornbill – social group

“While out cycling early this morning we came across Oriental Pied Hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris convexus) twice in two different locations; quite a surprise as they are uncommon in the city.

“The first was a social group of 5 that were travelling and feeding together; the other a single bird. The social group consisted of two courting pairs and a male adult. The two pairs displayed courtship feeding twice while we were watching. They fed on different fruit and the only one I recognise is the fruit of the Roystonea regia commonly known as the Royal Palm.

“Above shows one of the courting pairs, female on the right. Note both females were moulting.

“That ‘tender moment’ in the courtship feeding, female on left (above). Love the eyelashes on the male.

“The ‘lone’ male feeding (tree unidentified) (top).

“A close up of a courting male is shown at the top of the page.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
25th December 2015

Location: Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Urban environment in the city near limestones