The wreathed hornbill, also known as the bar-pouched wreathed hornbill, is a species of hornbill found in forests from far north-eastern India and Bhutan, east and south through mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater Sundas in Indonesia, except Sulawesi.
Similar species: Hornbills
By bpeters
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Uploaded Apr 8, 2011. Captured Jan 9, 2011 01:38.
comments (6)
Posted 14 years ago
"The striking Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) is famous for its odd nesting behaviors. They are monogamous and mate for life, which in the wild may last for about 30 years. In a superbly peculiar arrangement, the male physically seals the female into a nest cavity using mud, feces, and fruit pulp. She is completely sealed in this fortress-like nest with only a small slit to connect her to the outside world. Inside this cavity, she lays her eggs, incubates them, and rears them. Overall, she will remain sealed in the nest for up to eight months! During this period, the female and her chicks are completely dependent on the male, who brings them food and feeds them through the slit. This strategy protects the chicks from predators and from conspecifics who may want to steal the nest. {Spotted in Indonesia by JungleDragon user, bpeters} #JungleDragon" Posted 6 years ago