Hornbill Adopts, Then Offers Dead Chick

Why this is here: The Oriental pied hornbill, not typically found in Delhi, has been sighted in the city since 2013, possibly as an escaped captive or a bird displaced from its usual Himalayan habitat.

In Lodhi Garden, Delhi, a female Oriental pied hornbill is feeding chicks belonging to an Indian grey hornbill family. The unusual scene began weeks ago, with the non-native pied hornbill consistently bringing food to the nest. Birders Sheila Chhabra and Nikhil Devasar have spent mornings observing the interactions, noting territorial disputes between the two species.

On Saturday, the situation escalated. Observers witnessed the pied hornbill carrying a dead grey hornbill chick and attempting to give it to the nesting female. The resident grey hornbill rejected the offering twice, and the chick fell to the ground.

The birds’ motivations remain unclear. Experts suggest the pied hornbills may be escaped pets or vagrant birds.

They acknowledge this behavior could be a confused maternal instinct or a more complex dynamic. Birders plan to continue monitoring the situation at the semal tree.