(delhibirdpix) Oriental Pied Hornbill preying on a Golden-fronted Leafbird, Siliguri, West Bengal, India

Species: Oriental Pied Hornbill – Anthracoceros coronatus – Adult Male

Date: 07^th April, 2013

Location: Siliguri, West Bengal, India

Habitat: Sal (Shorea robusta),  and mixed broad-leaved forest.

Status: Least Concern

Remarks: While we were observing the activity of Golden-fronted Leafbirds (Chloropsis aurifrons) on a broad-leaved tree in the upper Siliguri area of Rongtong, (West Bengal), this male Oriental Pied Hornbill came and perched itself on a branch, mostly obscured in the leaf structure. It possibly tried to grab this juv. GFL because it took a sluggish flight before it was caught up in the air. The hornbill then sat on this branch holding the bird in its mouth. It tossed its prey in the air but couldn't open its mouth wide enough to swallow it, so caught it again in its bill. Sensing our presence it then flew to another tree where it finished its act and took a distant flight to what seemed like a pre-determined destination far down in the valley.

 "That is, we observed several females rejecting certain food items which were offered repeatedly for several days during the chick-raising period. Once this happened, the males changed the menu. Greater diversity of food may also imply an abundance of food in terms of productivity within the habitat." (Poonswad et al. Factors influencing the reproduction of Asian Hornbills)

Regards,

Gunjan 

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