Posted by Alex on May 26, 2003 at 22:01:20:
Big bird. When I was six in Morningside, a large Hornbill flew over my house, with grackles mobbing it like crazy. I didn't think much of it until yesterday, when a Silvery-cheecked hornbill landed in a palm tree. Then I remembered it. This time it was in Morningside again, with an anole stuck in its mouth. This was close to the Cooper's Hawks nest, so I was fearful it was in the mood for a baby hawk for dessert.
That was when I chased it away and it was no longer near the nest. I am pretty sure what kind it is. I hope it does not hang around here much longer. As much as I like it and watching it, it poses a threat to our wild life, but hopefully it is eating exotics instead of native animals. Starlings would be nice. Masked Lovebird, Cockatials, Peach Faced Lovebird, Hornbill- all a few days from eachother. Oh well- unless it is breeding, I can't count it under my exotics list.
Interesting bird.