16-4-2024 PANNA TIGER RESERVE, INDIA - INDIAN GREY HORNBILL (Dicrurus leucophaeus)

Indian grey hornbills are found from the foothills of the Himalayas southwards, bounded to the west by the Indus system and to the east by the Ganges Delta. They don't migrate but may make local movements in the drier western region. Indian grey hornbills live in dry forests, savannas, rural gardens, and even in cities that have old avenue trees.

Indian grey hornbills are active during the day and usually spend time in pairs or small groups. They are almost completely arboreal, but very rarely descend to the ground to pick up fallen fruits, to dust bathe, or to pick up mud pellets to seal the nest cavity during the nesting period. They have various social activities, including bill-grappling and aerial jousting. Indian grey hornbills are quite noisy producing squealing calls, loud cackling, or short pipping-like sounds. Their flight is heavy and involves flapping interspersed with glides.

Indian grey hornbills are monogamous and form strong pair bonds. They typically breed between April and June and the clutch varies from 1 to 5 very symmetrical white eggs. Indian grey hornbills usually nest in tree hollows on tall trees. An existing hollow may be excavated further to suit. The female enters the nest hollow and seals the nest hole, leaving only a small vertical slit through which the male feeds her. The nest entrance is sealed by the female using its excreta and mud pellets supplied by the male. While inside the nest, the female molts her flight feathers and incubates the eggs. The male provides the nest inmates with a steady supply of bark pieces to ensure that the excreta is removed from the nest by absorption and adsorption and to help maintain the micro-climate within the next cavity. The incubation period lasts around 21 days and chicks fledge approximately 45 days after hatching. The regrowth of the female's feathers coincides with the maturity of the chicks, at which point the nest is broken open.