Hornbills are omnivorous birds with long, down-curved bills, indigenous to tropical Africa and Asia.
Hornbills are monogamous birds and they generally breed in tree cavities. During their breeding process, after mating, the couple take a flight in search of a hole in a tree. When one is found, the female meticulously surveys the hole and squeezes herself inside, leaving the male outside.
The male spouse then goes sourcing for mud, tree bark and feces, which he supplies to the female to seal the hole leaving herself inside alone. The hole then becomes a protective fortress with only a narrow opening to enable the supply of food by the male to her inside the protective fortress.
Once inside, the first thing the female hornbill does, is to remove all her flight feathers because she won’t need them for at least 90 days. From that point on, the male becomes solely responsible for hunting outside and supplying food to the female through the tiny slit hole daily. He also does this while making sure no predators discover that she is inside. Just imagine the trust!
The female stays in that fortress until she lays her eggs, hatches them and delivers the chicks. This process takes up to three months, after which her flight wings must have regrown. She continues to stay in there to take care of the chicks until they are partially raised. This could take another one month. The male then breaks the protective cover and the female emerges from the fortress. The hole is usually resealed to protect the young chicks to continue to grow until they are ready for their own flight, then broken again for them to fly out and begin their own life.
What lessons can human couples learn from these incredible Hornbill couples?
Cooperation in sourcing for a protective cover in tree cavities after mating. Expectant mothers should and must have a safe place to produce the children.
Trusting your male partner by risking the removal of your flight feathers and remaining sealed up in what appears like a prison.
Reciprocating that trust to your female partner by unfailingly providing daily feeding for the expectant mother in protective custody and ensuring her safety from predators.
Sustaining that trust by staying till the kids arrive and returning on time to unseal the “prison” and continuing in love ever after.
You can add yours, if you saw any missing lesson.
Yours sincerely,
Citizen Agba Jalingo, is a journalist , rights activist and writes in from Lagos State.
NB: Opinions expressed in this sponsored article are strictly attributable to the author, Agba Jalingo, and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch
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