On FathersDay let me share story of this father from #forest. Great #Hornbill male is feeding the female who has locked her inside nest. This he will do for months !!
This is a story about hornbills which are perfect couple and which are also called as Gardner of the forest. How ?
There are 9 species of hornbills found in India. From Great to Grey. Hornbills are generally monogamous. The pair lasts long. Here a Wreathed Hornbill couple.
There are 9 species of hornbills found in India. From Great to Grey. Hornbills are generally monogamous. The pair lasts long. Here a Wreathed Hornbill couple.
They move together and live very long.
When the couple is expecting they go shopping for a house. A nest.
It can be a natural cavity in a tree or nest of some other bird or their old nest.
When the couple is expecting they go shopping for a house. A nest.
It can be a natural cavity in a tree or nest of some other bird or their old nest.
After finding that house the female will enter. She will occupy the nest and will seal the nest from inside with whatever material is available. Just a small slit will be kept for open food. Like this one. A female hornbill is inside it.
Now time will test them. The lady will stay inside for next 3-4 months (depending upon the species) with just small opening in nest. Looking outside & waiting for husband who will bring the food. Soon she will be with kids.
So now male will roam around the forest. Collect the food, store in their pouch and bring it to the family. As the kids grow, he has to increase frequency of the trips. This is his daily job, many times a day.
In this process the father or male tries to stay close to the family. For protection. Also during this time he has to feed himself and stay alive.
Not all fruits are delivered, some simply get dropped on the floor while the exchange takes place. They swallow the fruits as whole and in this process the seeds are taken to long distances. If male doesn't come or gets poached the family dies waiting inside the nest.
They swallow the fruits as whole. They spread them wherever they are going and especially nests are located.
Just example. Seeds of different species of trees below three such tree with hornbill nests. They will soon regenerate. This is how nature manages the forest.
Just example. Seeds of different species of trees below three such tree with hornbill nests. They will soon regenerate. This is how nature manages the forest.
All pictures and videos are taken by me. It took quite some time in collection and documentation.
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