Urban Adaptation: The Story of 'Mausi' the Hornbill in Delhi

New Delhi, India Aug 28, 2026 ALN: In the midst of urbanization, a remarkable story unfolds in Delhi's Lodhi Garden, where city birds are adapting to their changing environment. This year, a female Oriental Pied Hornbill, affectionately named 'Mausi,' has taken on an unusual role by feeding Indian Grey Hornbill chicks, highlighting the resilience of urban wildlife.

On a warm Thursday in June, Richa stood with binoculars under a tall Semal tree, observing a male Indian Grey Hornbill perched nearby. As she watched, a chick peeked out from a cavity in the trunk, signaling feeding time. Hornbills are known for storing food for their young, regurgitating it from their throats and using their long beaks to deliver it to the chicks.

Hornbills store food for their younglings in their throat. This includes eggs, figs, nuts, and insects. Perched outside the tiny cavity, the parent regurgitates food from its throat and uses its long beak to place it inside the hole, feeding its chicks.

Richa and her son, Vidith, logged their observations, noting the feeding times and types of food. While spotting native grey hornbills in Lodhi Garden is common from March to August, this year’s story is anything but ordinary.

An Unusual Visitor Arrives at Lodhi Garden

In May, a stunning female Oriental Pied Hornbill, a species not native to Delhi, began frequenting the garden. First spotted by Anuradha Mathur, a retired school principal, the pied hornbill was seen interacting with two male Indian Grey Hornbills. It soon became clear that she was feeding the grey hornbill chicks, earning her the nickname 'Mausi.'

Typically, female hornbills seal themselves inside tree cavities to lay eggs and incubate them, relying on the male to forage for food. However, in this case, the female pied hornbill was foraging and feeding the chicks, a behavior that puzzled experts.

At Lodhi Garden, however, the opposite was happening: the female pied hornbill was foraging and feeding the chicks. It was a bizarre case—one that even experts struggled to fully explain.

In response to this unusual behavior, the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) initiated a monitoring program to track the pied hornbill's activities. Richa and Vidith joined numerous citizen volunteers to observe selected nests across the garden.

How City Birds are Adapting to Survive

Initially, birders were concerned that the Oriental Pied Hornbill might be feeding the chicks only to later consume them, recalling a previous incident in Punjab. However, the pied hornbill was observed feeding on eggs, insects, and berries from the garden's diverse flora.

Despite the abundance of food, competition among various bird species remains fierce. Nikhil Devasar, a senior wildlife photographer, noted that the pied hornbill has not shown any inclination to eat the grey hornbill chicks, suggesting a different adaptation strategy.

“Birds inside cities have limited space to compete for nesting sites and food. They still survive and try to adapt, but their populations continue to decline,” says Mayuri Jani, a conservationist.

Urban parks like Lodhi Garden serve as vital habitats for birds, offering food and nesting options amidst the concrete landscape. Some city bird species have even expanded their diets to include human food, increasing their chances of survival.

How did the Oriental Pied Hornbill Survive in Delhi?

Experts suspect that the Oriental Pied Hornbill may have escaped from captivity, as its prolonged presence in the garden indicates a preference for urban habitats. Delhi's low-rise skyline and extensive green cover provide a conducive environment for diverse bird populations.

Dr. Aparajita Dutta, a hornbill researcher, emphasized the adaptability of the Oriental Pied Hornbill, which thrives in various environments, including urban areas. Similarly, Indian Grey Hornbills have been found nesting in non-native trees, showcasing their resilience.

Urbanization has made habitat options increasingly limited. Hornbills also compete with other bird species, such as mynas, for nesting sites in the same area.

The story of 'Mausi' reflects the ongoing struggle of urban wildlife to adapt and survive in an ever-changing environment. As the female pied hornbill continues to thrive in Lodhi Garden, it serves as a reminder of the resilience of nature amidst urban challenges.