Feeding behaviour and dietary preference of Hornbill Species in Indian subcontinent

Nigam Ruchira*, Siddiqui Asif Ahmad, Singh Chitra

Hornbills are good indicators of the health of forests because they require large tracts of primary forest with large trees for nesting (Poonswad and Kemp 1993). Hornbills are good indicators of the health of forests because they require large tracts of primary forest with large trees for nesting (Poonswad and Kemp 1993). Hornbills are good indicators of the health of forests because they require large tracts of primary forest with large trees for nesting (Poonswad and Kemp 1993). Hornbills are good indicators of the health of forests because they require large tracts of primary forest with large trees for nesting (Poonswad and Kemp 1993). Rate of seed dispersal and species of trees arriving at a location can be greatly influenced by the fruit preferences made by the local disperser fauna. Very few studies on frugivorous tropical birds exist, despite the fact that avian food selection is thought to be sensitive to seasonal changes. Due to relative insufficiency of minerals in fruits being essential for birds reproduction, frugivorous birds serve as a fascinating test case. When it comes to the choices that an individual or species makes about the selection of habitat, the availability of fruits in the ecosystem plays a significant role. The species' behaviors, physiology, abundance, and ultimately its persistence in a specific area will be impacted by these choices, either directly or indirectly. Due to their requirement for vast areas of primary forest, hornbills are excellent indicators of the forest’s health. Hornbills have an intriguing feeding behavior. Fruits with high nutritional content are less preferred by hornbills than the fruits that are available in plenty. Hornbills actively choose fruit depending on its nutrient and mineral content, which is helpful for analyzing the diet of frugivores over time. The evolutionary trend of employing ballistic transport in hornbills' eating habit, which plays a crucial role in the ecosystem of tropical forests by dispersing seeds, may be explained by the selection of large food items in the diet.

Type of Publication
Review Article
Full Text