“While on my way to Hide 1D from the Main Bridge of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, spotted this Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) caught an african snail. Like other hornbills, as their bill is much longer than other birds, they can’t manipulate their food with their tongue. So they have to toss the food caught directly into their throat (below).
“Seeing an Oriental Pied Hornbilll on the ground is uncommon and getting to see this male hornbill catch the prey on the ground is even epic.
“After the 1st toss (above), the hornbill managed to move the snail to the middle of his bill (below).
“The hornbill continued to jerk his head and move the snail further in (below).
“The hornbill crushed the shell of the snail in the process. Not sure if this is by purpose to de-shell it or accidentally (below).
“The hornbill repeated the tossing process with the half ‘naked’ snail (below).
“The hornbill missed the snail and it fell off it’s grip (above).
“The hornbill picked it up again and I didn’t realise it was a different snail until I took a closer look while processing the photos (above).
“This time round, the hornbill decided to go somewhere else to enjoy his meal and left me with one big question unanswered (below). Did the hornbill dropped the half ‘naked’ snail on purpose or accidentally? Could it be the hornbill become picky when food was abundant?”
Samson Tan
Singapore
20th September 2018
Note: This was first posted HERE on 20th September 2018.
