Evidence of the consumption of fallen figs by Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris on the ground in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

Abstract

Hornbills (Bucerotidae) are large, canopy-dwelling birds in tropical forests that eat various kinds of fruits. We obtained conclusive evidence of the consumption of fallen figs Ficus stricta by Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris on the ground in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, by using camera traps. At least one male Oriental Pied Hornbill was photographed removing sample figs from the ground around a fruiting tree. The use of cameras for the study of birds is generally impractical; however, this method can provide some useful baseline information on the behavior of certain avian species, as demonstrated in this study. © 2009, The Ornithological Society of Japan. All rights reserved.