Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill Print

Southern yellow-billed hornbills are monogamous birds, living in pairs or small groups, but they still indulge in elaborate display rituals to fan the flames of their ardour by bowing to each other and fanning their wings behind their back. During the courtship phase of the breeding season, the male woos the female with titbits of food from his mouth. Once they have consummated their courtship, they look for a place to set up house together. The ideal spot for the lucky couple is a natural hole in a tree (preferably facing north-east). An abandoned woodpecker or barbet’s nest will do the trick too. Together, they will line their chosen spot with bark and leaf litter.