Courting a potential mate is a LOT of work and various species have different mating rituals that help them step up their game. Hummingbirds whip their tails, mice whistle or sing tunes, Bowerbirds build bowers with twigs and stones and then decorate them with flower petals, Pufferfish create symmetrical patterns in the ocean floor, men use pick-up lines and women apply makeup 😛
The Great Hornbills also have their own courtship rituals. They usually mate for life and males indulge in aerial acrobatics and head-butting while competing for a female’s attention.
Twitter user and CEO of Chilika Development Authority @susantananda3 recently shared a romantic video of two Hornbills courting by dancing and sharing food.
Aerial acrobatic mating dance of Hornbills – male inviting the female to stay in its heart & nest without any rent. pic.twitter.com/a921kLjWs4
— Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) October 11, 2019
The location of the video is unknown but the birds have surely won hearts online garnering over 18,000 views. Their ‘nesting ritual‘ which follows the mating is also quite interesting. The impregnated female isolates herself inside a tree hole and seals it up leaving a small opening for the male to regularly bring food. She stays there until the baby chick is ready to venture into the outside world. This can take around 4 months.
People found the dance both graceful and beautiful which was a small glimpse into the ‘love’ lives of Hornbills.
That is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen
— Running Waters (@RunningWaters4) October 14, 2019
These majestic birds have awesome feathers !! And their flight is no less than graceful dance . Great content 👏🏻
— Pratibha 🇮🇳 (@PratibhaKK) October 11, 2019
Soooo Nice 😍
— SN (@SN60902646) October 11, 2019
Pure romance .
It is said that the birds are the true lovers.— Rashmi Kant Sahoo (@RashmiKantSaho3) October 12, 2019
Love is in the air literally !
— K. S. A (@TheKSAWay) October 11, 2019
Beautiful dance of nature 💕
— Indiankudi (@TheIndiankudi) October 11, 2019
What is your favourite human mating ritual? Tell us.