Oriental Pied Hornbill locking bills

on 25th September 2016

One Comment

“Pasir Ris Park is possibly the best place to observe Oriental Pied Hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris) in Singapore now. At least 15 birds were counted at 2 different corners of Pasir Ris Park in mid June 2016.

“On 21 August, I found at least 7 of these magnificent hornbills foraging on top of a fruiting Angsana tree (Pterocarpus indicus). They flew off above the canopy of the Angsana tree before I could approach nearer (below).

“Chasing after them led me to some tall slender trees where a few hornbills have perched and were probing deep into the foliage. Observed that they were plucking and eating fruits on these trees. A male holding a fruit harvested from the tree is attached (below).

“Found out later that these trees are known as Mast Trees (Polyalthia longifolia) (below).

“Turning my attention to 2 females in an adjacent tree (below), …

“…I was instantly rewarded when one of the birds leaped over to engage the other and bills were locked for a brief second (below).

“Female “A” that had leapt across and was in mid-air returned back to where it was before.

“Seconds later, it took another leap and bills were again locked.

“From one of the photos, Female “B” had its bill wide opened with the head of Female “A”, which was in mid-air, appearing to be within its wide opened gape.

“However, Female “A” was not flustered and it landed below Female “B”.

“Both birds were engaged for the next 10 seconds locking bills in various poses.

I must stress that the locking of bills by these females did not appear to be fights as there seemed to be no aggression at all.

“I would think that this locking of bills is a form of social interaction as I have even encountered juvenile siblings similarly locking bills.

“This would suggest that the siblings were in social behaviour.

“Would appreciate any opinions.”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
31st August 2016

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.

One Response

Amar-Singh HSS says:

25th September 2016 at 5:44 pm

Have seen this before. if you are sure there is no aggression then consider ‘bill-twinning’. A form of avian social interaction either as comfort or consolation.
See discussion in “Bird Brain: An Exploration of Avian Intelligence by Nathan Emery”.
Amar

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Oriental Pied Hornbill locking bills

YC Wee

Other posts by YC Wee

Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

Singapore’s secret “garden”

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

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