Malabar Pied Hornbill

Description:

Large, gregarious bird. Has black casque on top of its huge yellow bill. Female's casque is smaller. Females have white orbital skin.

Habitat:

Forest.

Notes:

Two or three eggs are laid in a hole in a tree. The female and the eggs are walled in with a sort of cement made of mud, fecal matter and fruit pulp. The sole aperture is just big enough for the male to transfer food to the female and the chicks. When the chicks are too big to fit in the nest, the female exits and rebuilds the wall. After that, both parents feed the chicks.