Just as winter loosens its grip on the Western Ghats, Great Indian Hornbills begin reviving their relationships with their lifelong partners. By mid-March, Great Hornbill pairs start courting, and shortly afterwards, the female nests and stays in it, sealed, for almost four months, until the chicks are old enough to come out. The male solely bears the burden of providing food for his family.
The Great Indian Hornbill aka Great Hornbill is a large bird, 3 to 4 feet tall, with a wingspan of 5 feet; male hornbills sometimes weigh up to 4 kg. Its impressive size and colour make it an important bird in some cultures. Unfortunately, due to hunting and extensive habitat loss, hornbill numbers are decreasing – Great Indian Hornbills are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List.
This film offers a glimpse of these beautiful birds and their life during the mating and nesting season in the dry, hot month of March.