The Great Indian Hornbill

Just as the winter is loosening its grip on the western ghats, Great India Hornbills are beginning to revive their relationships with their lifelong partners. By mid-March, the pair will start courting and shortly after that the female nests and stays in it, sealed, for a further four months till the chicks are half grown. The male bears the burden of providing food for its family.

The Great Hornbill is a large bird weighing up-to 4 kgs and with a wingspan, 5 feet across. Its impressive size and colour make it an important bird in many cultures and tribal rituals. Due extensive hunting and habitat loss the bird numbers are decreasing. It is classified vulnerable in the IUCN list.

This film gives a glimpse of these beautiful birds and their life during the nesting season in the dry hot month of march.