One of a kind: Narcondam island is notified as a sanctuary by the Government of India to protect its hornbill species. It is also on the tentative list of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites
The Narcondam hornbill is found only on its namesake island, which is the easternmost land body of India. The Narcondam island is also home to a dormant volcano, about 262 km to the northeast of Port Blair. Isolated in the middle of the sea, it houses a population of 400-500 Narcondam hornbills, and I visited them in March, during their nesting time. The male and the female of the species have very distinct plumage. After the mating season, the female locks herself up in the cavity of an evergreen tree, sealing it except for the space required to put her beak out. It is the male’s duty to feed her and their children during the nesting period, and every 45 minutes to two hours he brings her a variety of food items — ranging from wild fruits to insects such as grasshoppers and praying mantis that are available on the island. The hornbill population remains threatened ever since the government okayed the construction of a surveillance radar on the island, ignoring protests from wildlife lovers and enthusiasts all over the world.
Dhritiman Mukherjeeis a Kolkata-based wildlife photographer
Love is in the air: Mating ritual of the Narcondam hornbill. It has the smallest home range among the 31 species of Asiatic hornbills, making them unique to the island. Since 2009, they have been declared endangered
Mum’s the word: The breeding period of the Narcondam hornbill spans from February to April
Jungle laws: Evergreen trees make perfect nesting sites for the hornbill, which is known as the ‘feathered forester’ for its role in eating and dispersing the seeds of different trees all over the island
Birds in the bush: The male (left) hornbill is identified by its rufous head and neck and red irises, while the female has a black head and neck, and dark olive brown irises
Hunter-gatherer: Ficus fruit is a favourite of the Narcondam Hornbill. The male has the responsibility of feeding the mother and babies during the nesting period
Division of labour: If the male fails to find food for the family, they all die
Land ahoy: Vegetation is found up to 700m above sea level on the 6.8 sqkm Narcondam island. The hornbill is found around 200m above sea level
Published on June 23, 2017
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