Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Oriental Pied Hornbill Hijacks Nests in Delhi’s Lodhi Gardens
A large Oriental Pied Hornbill appeared in a Delhi park and took over nests belonging to smaller Grey Hornbills.
The Grey Hornbill mothers were inside their nests with their eggs or chicks.
The larger bird chased away the real parents and brought food to the babies.
Some of the food, such as dead rats, seemed unsuitable for the Grey Hornbill chicks.
The larger bird also cleaned the nests.
Birdwatchers watched the birds closely and recorded what happened.
At one nest, the Grey Hornbill parents surprised the larger bird and drove it away.
The second nest was still being watched because the unusual takeover continued there.
An Oriental Pied Hornbill appeared in Delhi’s Lodhi Gardens in mid-May and occupied nests used by Grey Hornbills.
The larger hornbill repeatedly drove away the Grey Hornbill parents, which continued feeding their chicks when it was absent.
The Oriental Pied Hornbill delivered rats, a dead babbler, eggs and other food to the chicks, while also removing waste from the nests.
Grey Hornbill parents eventually ambushed the intruder at one nest and reclaimed their nest and young.
The second occupied nest reportedly remained under the same unusual arrangement as birders awaited the Grey Hornbill chicks’ emergence.
- Who
- An Oriental Pied Hornbill, Grey Hornbills, and birdwatchers in Delhi.
- What
- An Oriental Pied Hornbill occupied at least two Grey Hornbill nests and interfered with the parents’ care of their chicks.
- When
- The Oriental Pied Hornbill was spotted in mid-May; the reported events continued until recently.
- Where
- Lodhi Gardens in Delhi.
- Why
- The reason for the Oriental Pied Hornbill’s behavior was unknown; observers speculated that it might be caring for chicks or acting as a serial chick-napper.
- Bird involved
- Oriental Pied Hornbill
- Other birds
- Grey Hornbills
- Location
- Lodhi Gardens, Delhi
- First sighting
- Mid-May
- Nests occupied
- At least two Grey Hornbill nests
- Food delivered
- Dead rats, a dead babbler, eggs and other items
- Latest development
- Grey Hornbill parents reclaimed one nest, while the second remained occupied