While pretty to look at, hornbills are actually keen predators that feast on smaller animals — including other birds.
Netizens were reminded of this fact when a video was posted of a hornbill with a baby bird in its mouth in Marine Parade.
Source: Jas Renée Teo via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
This led to some expressing sympathy and sadness for the defenceless bird.
The video of the hornbill eating a baby bird was posted in the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group on Friday (1o May).
Initially, it shows a lone hornbill at what appears to be a grassy knoll at the foot of an HDB block.
Upon closer inspection, the hornbill could be seen nibbling on a small oriole, its beak clamped tightly on the lifeless body.
Source: Jas Renée Teo via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
Up in a nearby tree were another two hornbills, possibly the first hornbill’s mate and their offspring.
Source: Jas Renée Teo via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook
Ms Jasmine Teo, owner of eyelash salon Currrl Studio Lashes, who posted the clip, told MS News that she witnessed the scene near Block 59 Marine Terrace at about 10am.
Apparently, the oriole baby’s parents were also there, and they chased the hornbill away towards Block 45 Marine Crescent, she said.
They also chased the hornbill’s mate and offspring, who took off in the same direction, she added.
She speculated that the oriole parents were still defending their nest, which may have more surviving oriole chicks in it.
As for the hornbills, Ms Teo said she’s seen them “countless times” over the last two years, always in a pair. Thus, she thinks they’re living in the area.
A number of netizens professed to be sad about the fate of the baby bird.
Source: Facebook
Others commented that this was part of the circle of life.
Source: Facebook
Some admitted that they were unaware hornbills ate fellow birds.
Source: Facebook
In fact, the Oriental Pied Hornbill is omnivorous.
They eat mainly fruit but also consume small animals like reptiles, birds and mammals, according to the National Parks Board (NParks).
The male hornbill is mostly responsible for gathering and delivering food to the female, who stays in the nest with their chicks.
The Oriental Pied Hornbill is a bird native to Singapore that had almost become extinct in the 19th century.
They were seen regularly again in the 1990s and now boast a significant population on the island, NParks said.
Also read: S’pore Hornbill Eyes Pet Bird As Food, Boldly Jumps Onto Cage & Eats It Up
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Featured images adapted from Jas Renée Teo via Singapore Wildlife Sightings on Facebook.
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