Hornbill

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  Hornbill

This is a sketch of the Indian grey hornbill; one of my favourite birds. I was on an ecology tour during my internship back in the summer of 2006, when I saw this bird for the first time. I was fascinated at the very moment I caught hold of it sitting on the branch of a huge tree accompanied by its partner. It’s distinct long and curved beak with a horn on top of it is unique characteristic which gives the hornbill its name.

With the years, I had forgotten all about this bird until the summer of 2018 when the encounter happened yet again. I was standing in the balcony with my father watching the scenic beauty of the landscape. And then there it was …the hornbill, two of them flew right in and sat on the tree in the front. My father being a hobby bird watcher told me it is “dhanesh“; this is what it is locally called. I also immediately recognized the squeeky call and its long, curved bill with a horn. There it was my “dhanesh” my hornbill.