This year, two Oriental pied hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris) were born at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center. Hornbills are very unique looking birds with unique nesting behaviors to match. The birds are partners for life and share an intimate bond while they raise their young. In the wild, pairs look for tree cavities from fallen branches that are large enough for the female to fit inside. The female works from the inside and the male from the outside to seal the entrance with mud, feces and regurgitated fruit until there is a slit just wide enough for the male’s beak to fit through. This will be the female’s home for about four months, which allows her to safely incubate their hatchling until it grows strong enough to fly. During this time, the male is the sole provider for his family and delivers food several times a day. At Phnom Tamao, this requires our keepers provide the hornbills with an artificial nest box, enough mud to seal it off, and the correct diet and sufficient fluid to prevent the mother and chick from getting dehydrated.
