david korte photographs

Red-billed dwarf hornbill     A trio of these curious little hornbills swept into the tree above in full hunting mode. While one bird sat motionless on a limb, a second would leapfrog to a branch in front. After a few seconds surveillance, the first bird would repeat the maneuver for the second bird. Bird number three was watching from the side and would dive in if any insects were flushed away from the other two birds. They worked the whole tree canopy from one side to the other before heading for the next tree, where I could hear the same hunting pattern unfold. Their bills glow red when backlit by the sun. They appear to have no fear and took a moment to stare me down as they passed within three meters.