Foraging compensation in a bill-damaged Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis in a human-modified landscape at Anaikatty, Tamil Nadu, India

This is an observation of a beak-damaged Great Hornbill from the Anaikatty Hills in the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. The individual was monitored over a one-week period (18–24 January 2025) with a total observation effort of approximately 35 hours. The hornbill exhibited modified feeding behavior while foraging on fruits of Ficus benghalensis, using its lower mandible and remaining upper mandible to manipulate fruits instead of the typical tossing mechanism. The individual repeatedly moved between a primary perch and two fruiting trees. Despite the injury, the bird successfully foraged, indicating behavioral flexibility. The site represents a human-modified, non-core habitat for the species, suggesting opportunistic use of localized food resources. The individual was not recorded during subsequent monitoring over an additional two weeks. This observation highlights the potential for behavioral compensation in response to physical impairment and underscores the importance of fig trees in supporting large frugivores in altered landscapes.