The Malabar Pied Hornbill a spectacular black-and-white forest bird typically confined to the dense canopies of the Western Ghats, is now making regular appearances in the urban heart of Udupi, creating a buzz among local residents and naturalists.
The hornbills have been spotted in city areas like Brahmagiri and Ambalpady, perched on tall trees an unusual sight that experts view as both a sign of adaptation and a potential warning signal about vanishing forest habitats.
Forest Giants Shift to the City
Known for their large, curved yellow-and-black beaks and striking plumage, Malabar Pied Hornbills thrive in evergreen and moist deciduous forests. While the species is native to the broader Udupi district, their increasing presence within city limits is a noteworthy shift.
“Malabar Pied Hornbills are typically seen deep inside forested landscapes. Their arrival in urban zones is unexpected and definitely worth paying attention to,” noted local birdwatchers.
Experts suggest the birds are being drawn to fruiting city trees, particularly figs, a favorite part of their diet.
Evidence Points to Long-Term Shift
The sightings are not believed to be a one-off event. Bird experts who once had to travel deep into the Western Ghats to places like Dandeli to see the species are now observing them closer to the coast.
• Consecutive Sightings: Bird expert V Lakshminarayana Upadhyaya confirmed, “For the past three to four years, we’ve been spotting groups of Malabar pied hornbills in urban areas like Kundapura and Udupi.” They are most visible during August and September, coinciding with fruiting cycles.
• Potential Nesting: Tejaswi S. Acharya, a trustee of the Manipal Birding and Conservation Trust, believes the birds may be moving in permanently. “There is a strong possibility that these hornbills have now found a permanent nesting habitat in Udupi, particularly in tree hollows on large trees located on the city’s outskirts,” he said, citing sightings of the birds roosting near the Udupi city bus stand.
Conservation Alarm
While the urban sightings are exciting for bird enthusiasts, they are also interpreted as a clear sign of habitat displacement. Rapid habitat loss and deforestation in their native Western Ghats are believed to be pushing the birds toward the coastal belt where tall trees and seasonal food sources are still available.
The hornbills presence is viewed as a stark indicator the birds are either successfully adapting to changing environments, or they are retreating from increasingly threatened forest ecosystems. Bird experts are now stressing the urgent need for urban tree conservation to protect the large, hollow trees essential for their unique nesting habits, ensuring the city can support the species adjusting to a changing landscape.