Red-billed hornbill's nest

[Bush dog]

This was seen in March, this year at Selinda, Botswana.

 

Like other hornbills, to protect its nest, the female seals itself in a tree hollow. It leaves a fissure. The male feeds them, female and chicks, through it.

 

 

In this case, the nest is close to the ground, at the level of the top of the crow feet, so at all predator’s mercy. The danger for the nest to be plundered is great.

[Peter Connan]

Great series and well spotted Mike!

[Game Warden]

@@Bush dog Thanks for posting this series seperately: it's taught me something and again shows that looking for small detail on safari can really reward you. How easy this would have been to overlook.

[Bush dog]

@@Game Warden

 

You would have asked me anyway to also post it in the birding section. So, I simply forestall your demand.

 

A second series will follow tomorrow showing the plundering of another red-billed hornbill's nest by a raptor.

[Peter Connan]

Wow, that sounds interesting!

[TonyQ]

@@Bush dog

A great sequence of photos -fascinating to see

[Atravelynn]

In quieter times, compared to your other post the includes this topic.