Some interesting facts about Indian Grey Hornbill

If you see a slender but long grey bird rigorously flapping wings but yet gliding gracefully from tree to tree, you have seen the majestic Indian Grey Hornbill. But wait a minute, what is so beautiful about this bird which is so characteristic lack of colours.

Well adapted to urban life

This is one bird who can live happily and comfortably among humans and city folks. The green spaces within the cities provide for large trees in which they build their nests and food is easily available. It is as if almost no other environmental factors disturb them. The perfect species to survive the changing ecosystem and rapid urbanisation of earth.

Agility and grace – a photographer’s delight

According to colour science, grey is dull. I mean compared to the majestic peacock or even the great hornbill which is the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh who would be interested in grey.

Not only does this bird glide, it can turn itself around like a flexible acrobat to get those seeds and fruits. It does most of the work with its break which is the most strongest and visible part of the body.

The female locks herself in while the male does the job of other half

Nesting time is April each year. The female enters the hollow of a tree and the locks herself in by sealing the opening. From now on it is the job of the male to do all the outside work including the fetching of food, else she will die of starvation.

First the female will get rid of all her feathers and make a nest out of it. What is the point in having feathers when you do not need to fly for the next few weeks. Also she can grow new feathers again. Then she seals the entrance with mud pellets to just leave a small opening. The male provides food and bark pieces through this hole. Wood pieces are used to drop the excreta on so that it can be thrown outside the nest.

All this effort is required to maintain a controlled climate inside the nest for the chicks.

Life on trees and in pairs

Indian Grey Hornbill like all other hornbills spend most of their life on trees. The come to ground only for brief dust baths or to pick up mud pellets. This type of behaviour is called arboreal. Hornbills like to be in pairs which is why they are seen most of the times together. Even the large urban trees provide the perfect settings for these birds. Another interesting fact about this bird is that it is only present in the plains.