Every now and then there is a sighting which makes you do a double take and look again. This was once such sighting. A large Southern African rock python caught a hornbill and held firmly onto it as it coiled around the branches of a tree.
What made the sighting particularly impressive was the specific location where the python had chosen to eat the hornbill. It was coiled around the top branches of an arid tree. The clearly-defined, leafless branches made it easy to see the intertwined forms of the bird and the snake. The two species formed what appeared to be a most unusual knot.
Snake and bird form ‘knot’ structure in tree
At first glance, it wasn’t clear what was going on and listening to the clip, you can hear the spectators speculating about what they were looking at.
Having established the ‘knot’ was a snake holding onto a bird it had captured and paralysed, they then discussed among themselves which species of snake and which species of bird they were watching.
The snake was identified as a South African rock python and the bird, as a southern red-billed hornbill.
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As the largest species of snake in Africa, the South African rock python can grow up to 6m long. Most, however, are between 3 to 5m long. Still, that is pretty impressive! They can also weigh over 50kg.
This big fellow had managed to get hold of a hornbill which, if you have seen a hornbill, is no small feat.
This striking bird is native to southern Africa, and is easily recognised by its vivid red, downward-curving bill and its contrasting black and white plumage.
Those familiar with the movie the Lion King will know Zazu, who is himself a southern red-billed hornbill.
This species typically measures around 42 to 60cm in length and weighs between 110 and 160g. Males are generally slightly larger than females and have longer bills.
It is actually quite rare for a python to eat a hornbill, making this sighting especially special.
Snake shows stealth as ambush predator
In Kruger National Park, the Southern African rock python is a powerful ambush predator capable of eating a wide range of animals, including birds.
Hornbills can become prey and might find themselves vulnerable when roosting at night, nesting in tree cavities, or caught off guard on the ground.
However, hornbills are quick, alert, and agile flyers, making them harder targets than ground-dwelling or slower animals.
This spectacle continued to unfold in front of Nainesh, who understanding the rarity of the sighting sent it to Latest Sightings.
Bird swallowed whole as spectators watch in unbelief
Pythons are non-venomous constrictors. Once they ambush and strike a bird, they quickly coil around it and suffocate it through constriction. After the bird is dead, the python then swallows it head-first. For this purpose it has incredibly flexible jaws and stretchy skin.
Having caught the hornbill, the python now began the unbelievable process of swallowing it whole. Apparently pythons are not deterred by feathers so this big snake enjoyed his feast without any concerns.