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| Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) |
Although there are Rhinoceroses in Asia the only one I saw was the Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros). This gorgeous (and huge) bird is one of many species of hornbill in Asia (it is about the size of a swan). They have one of the more interesting nesting strategies that I know of amongst birds. They, like woodpeckers, are cavity nesters – they nest in the holes of trees. That in itself is not all that unique, but what is special is that once the eggs are laid and the female is inside the nest, the male constructs a wall of mud leaving only a small hole large enough to pass food to the female and the growing brood (and large enough for the female to poop). Once the chicks are feathered and ready to leave the pair tear down the wall and the female and chicks are freed. Very very interesting!
