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You can see the full sighting here, and all proceeds from this video are returned to the APNR project. More on their good work below!
Kyle-Mark Middleton sent in this sighting, from the APNR Southern Ground-Hornbill Project. Before its untimely demise, the research camera tracked two hornbills going about their business, appearing to be focused on building themselves a nest.
These birds being studied in the Greater Kruger area of South Africa seemed to take offence at being observed so closely by this research camera perched alongside them in the tree. At first, they largely ignored it, being caught up in their own affairs.
Soon, the second hornbill appeared, and this one definitely hadn’t been idle, showing up with what looked like the materials for building a nest. Together the two seemed quite content to be little homemakers for a few minutes.
An Invasion Of Personal Space
Sharing the work, the two hornbills transferred all of the nesting materials into their home, no doubt making it nice and comfortable for themselves. Southern Ground-Hornbills, one of only two species of ground-hornbills, make their nests in the cavities they find in tree trunks or rock faces.
This nesting site, although artificial, is a perfect place for them to call home, something very valuable to a species whose population is in decline.
The only issue, however, is that their home had a little camera perched nearby, which was just completely invading their personal space.
Getting Up Close And Personal
This was apparently too much of an imposition for one of the hornbills at least, as it sidled up closer to the camera so that it could get a better look at it. Southern Ground-Hornbills can be very territorial, and perhaps they just didn’t want this camera in their area.
Both of these hornbills appear to be males from the red coloration of their throat, which means it’s likely they’re both helpers, who have the role of helping the dominant male raise the young, and keeping their territory intact.
While this kind of behavior can be attributed to defending the territory, the bird does take a good long look at the camera before it takes any action, suggesting that it is at least conducting a thorough investigation.
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When In Doubt, Destroy
Unfortunately for the innocent camera, the calculations of the bird regarding its future don’t result in a good outcome, and the hornbill takes action into its own hands, while its fellow watches from behind.
Time for the camera was limited, as it couldn’t stand up to a concentrated assault from the bird which pecked at it again and again, eventually causing some serious, if highly amusing, damage.
The Good Work Of The APNR
There are two species of ground-hornbill, the Northern, or Abyssinian, and the slightly larger Southern, both of which are found in Africa. Both are listed as vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN, with the Southern Ground-Hornbill also being considered endangered in certain areas of the continent, such as South Africa.
The APNR project has its focus on understanding and conserving the Southern Ground-Hornbill in the Greater Kruger area of South Africa. Although the population is widespread throughout the continent, deforestation affects their ability to find homes, and their low rate of reproduction makes it difficult for them to recover, particularly in South Africa.
Check out the APNR website to discover more about how to help these amazing birds!