Mating season is a great time to watch the behaviour of these wonderful birds. Paired for life, it is wonderful to see them reinforce their bonds through courtship displays, where the male brings in berries and figs to the female. Complete trust is the cornerstone of this relationship, since the female is sealed in the nest when she lays the eggs, incubates them and watch over the hatchlings. The female and the chicks are completely dependent on the male and sometimes, birds from the previous brood join in to help.
The great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) also known as the concave-casqued hornbill, great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family. It is found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals. The great hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity. It is predominantly frugivorous, but is an opportunist and will prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds.
