THE hornbill is Malaysia’s national bird and one of the country’s most recognisable animals.
This magnificent bird, which is seen as a harbinger of good luck, is regarded as a sacred figure by many of the country's indigenous groups and features in many local legends, traditional beliefs and folklore.
As such, it might come as a shock to some to learn that this peaceful-seeming animal occasionally preys on the eggs and young of other birds. Is this true?
Verdict:
TRUE
Hornbills are considered frugivores, meaning they subsist primarily on fruits and other fruit-like produce, such as nuts and shoots.
However, they are also opportunistic creatures (as most animals tend to be) and will consume other prey - including small mammals, reptiles, insects, and other birds - if the opportunity presents itself.
Hornbills are known to steal eggs and chicks out of other birds’ nests. On rare occasions, they have also been observed snatching birds out of the sky mid-flight.
They have even been caught on camera breaking open cages to get at the hapless pet birds inside, much to the dismay of the birds’ owners.
That being said, birds and mammals do not make up a significant part of the hornbill’s diet. Incidences of predation on other birds are relatively rare and reportedly occur more frequently closer to mating season.
Researchers theorise that this change in behaviour is to meet the increased energy demands of breeding. While their diet may vary according to region, most hornbill species specialise in feeding on fruit, as indicated by their curved beaks, which are adapted to cracking open tough fruit shells.
In fact, meat may actually be harder for hornbills to consume than fruit, as their tongues are too short to manipulate food caught at the tip of the beak.
That doesn’t seem to deter hornbills from snacking on a tasty chick every now and then, though. Never forget: nature is metal.
References:
1. https://animalia.bio/great-hornbill
2. https://rangkong.org/en/general-characteristics-of-hornbills/diet/
3. https://mothership.sg/2018/11/hornbills-singapore-diet-small-birds/
