Date with a Beak: The Great Hornbill’s Unique Courtship

In the delightful world of the Great Hornbill, courting is a lively event filled with colorful displays and delicious treats instead of typical dinners.

A stunning yellow casque on his head, trying to win over a potential mate with a feast that could rival any top-notch restaurant!

As part of this charming courtship ritual, the male hornbill takes on the role of a thoughtful chef, carefully selecting ripe, juicy fruits. His vibrant feathers shine in the sunlight as he makes his way to the female.

With a graceful swoop, he presents his carefully chosen snack, showcasing his skills like a culinary artist revealing a gourmet dish.

The atmosphere is charged with excitement as the female watches closely, not just considering the snack itself but also the effort he put into it.

If she’s charmed by his efforts—this wonderful mix of charm and tasty offerings—she’ll accept his gift, marking the start of their bond filled with shared meals and affection. This ritual goes beyond just attraction; it highlights the importance of nurturing and care in their partnership.

Unfortunately, this particular male didn’t quite captivate the female’s heart, and she turned down his offering.

Mammals Spotted at Kaeng Krachan

During my time in the hide by the Kaeng Krachan forest, I had the pleasure of spotting quite a few mammals alongside the beautiful birds!

There were plenty of striped squirrels running around.

I couldn’t help but notice the grey-bellied squirrels leaping from branch to branch all over the place.

I also saw some northern treeshrews,

and I was thrilled to catch a glimpse of the lesser mousedeer out and about during the day.

But the highlight of my adventure? Spotting the pig-tailed macaque, the largest mammal I’ve encountered here so far! What an amazing experience!

Afternoon Visit to Kaeng Krachang Part 2

What a delightful afternoon of birdwatching I had after enjoying some delicious local Thai noodles! I noticed that the Red Junglefowl also likes to use this path to journey to and from the Kaeng Krachang forest.

Just like the earlier sighting of the Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, the White-Crested Laughingthrush made quite a lively entrance! 

I was pleasantly surprised to spot a Greater Yellownape here – what a treat that was!

Not long after, I also caught a glimpse of a Common Flameback woodpecker in the same spot.

Then, a rare treat showed up: a Ferruginous Partridge! It’s always exciting to see something less common.

It had been a while since I last saw a Black Naped Monarch, so I was thrilled to encounter one again. 

The Taiga Flycatcher, a frequent visitor in this area, 

followed by the Indochinese Flycatcher

and the Hainan Blue Flycatcher, made for a lovely trio of sightings.

As the light began to fade, I spotted a Brown Cheeked Fulvetta, but it was getting tricky to snap a good photo.

Just when I thought I was finished for the day and started to pack up my camera, a Grey Peacock Pheasant appeared right at the last moment! What a fantastic way to wrap up my day of birdwatching!