 Acrylic on illustration board 30" x 20" $12,000 |
Probably the best known member of its group, the great pied hornbill (Buceros bicornis) ranges from India through Sumatra and has been a rather common aviary bird for many years, having been bred in captivity since 1953. Like most hornbills, these are essentially forest birds. They exploit a number of different forest types up to an elevation of about 2000 meters. Usually occuring in pairs or small family parties, these birds sometimes congregate in groups of over one hundred to feed in large fruiting trees. Fruits, mostly figs, make up the bulk of their diet. During the breeding season the male bolsters the growing nestling's protein supply by delivering extra animal matter to the nest hole, where the female remains sealed until the chick is about half grown. |