A pair of Black Hornbill

Black Hornbill - male at top of picture and female, bottom of picture.
Location : Licuala Hill, Zone I

 Hearing the loud brays and grunts originating from Zone I,  made me hurry for my camera.  Within minutes, I  quickly climbed the  Licuala Hill at Zone I,  My focus was on the loud calls and next thing I could see was  a pair of hornbill perching on the tallest dead tree at top of the hill.
I took pictures of the birds from a distance of about 150 meters and the lighting conditions was not ideal but this shot is largely for the record.  This is one of the rare times when the Black Hornbill drops by in a pair.  The male has a white to pale yellow bill whereas the female bill is dark brown to black.  It is interesting to note that the Black Hornbill is a bird of the primary forest of Sarawak or Borneo. It is overall covered in black plumage with the female having a long band of white flurry feathers from head to nape.  In the middle of the band is a thin strip of black (by zooming in the picture).

Favourite perch of the Black Hornbill at Licuala Hill, Zone I.

The Hornbill is seen again

Seen at a distance, the Black Hornbill at Zone I
1 Dec'15

The hornbill is seen at the center of the picture, 100 meters away
Zone I

At a distance of about 100 meters I could only get a glimpse of the Black Hornbill.  The last sighting was in October when I was able have  a closer view of the hornbill.  However, today's sighting is for record purposes.

I got the big one!

Black Hornbill  - male of the species

 It was only a few weeks ago that I noticed the behaviour of the Black Hornbill.  It was seen more regularly in the early morning and evening times at the park.  This morning  I was given an excellent photoshoot session by the  hornbill and it allowed me to come quite close to the perch.  I suspect that it is trying to identify a suitable tree to establish a home at the park.  The hornbill is to date the biggest type of bird to be seen here and today's photoshoot session is one of the best. At last I got you! The big one!  

Black body, long tail and white bill and casque makes the Black Hornbill easily recognizable from a distance.
Zone G

What October brings?

Black Hornbill (male) - Anthracoceros malayanus
Location : Zone G, near bamboo clump

Hill Myna or 'Tiong'

 The morning was fine with a slight haze.  Between 7-7.30 am I had a morning walkabout at the park, when all of a sudden I spotted a lone Hill Myna.  It was perching on the dead tree at Zone G, close to the clump of tall bamboos. I managed to get a couple of good shots but from a distance.  Then to my greatest surprise a Black Hornbill entered the frame.  What a catch! A Black Hornbill and a Hill Myna in one frame. It's a good sign to start the month of October.

A Black Hornbill (left) and Hill Myna (right)
Location : Zone G
Date taken : 2 October15

The lone Hill Myna before joined by the Black Hornbill
2 Oct'15, Zone G.

The Black Hornbill

Black Hornbill, Zone B.

It was sighted  about two days ago and today I stumbled upon it again.  It is the Black Hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus) distinguished by its black plummage.  The bill is pale yellow in the male.  The other day I saw it moving about the tall trees nearby the Kruak wetlands.  It is my fervent hope that it will stay here for a little while to build its nest.  Hopefully.  Sarawak is well-known for its hornbill birds.  In fact the state is often called 'Land of the Hornbills'.  Hornbills are large birds with exotic bills and prefer to live in the hollow of trees.  The park is now very attractive for these birds because they are many fruiting trees at the moment.  Just before sunset time, the hornbill flew away and I hope it will be seen again tomorrow.

Today's sunset as viewed from Zone B