Koh Yao Day Tour
Bird Watching
Learning Ecology and Conservation with Thai Hornbill
DISCOVER NATURE: HORNBILLS VIEWING
Your trip to Koh Yao Noi is not complete if you have not had a viewing session with our island mascot, the Hornbill Bird. Grab a pair of binoculars, prop yourself up in any of our cosy sunbeds or the outdoor living area of your Villa and watch our feathery friends take their sweet time to build an elegant home or simply share food. The simple joys of nature!
And with the abundant nature of "Ko Yao Noi", Ko Yao District, Phang Nga province makes it a habitat for hornbills The hornbill that lives on the island is "Gag Bird" (or Curry Bird) is the smallest bird in the hornbill family. And is considered the only island where hornbills live with people in the community The villagers on the island are considered hornbills that are part of the community. It is normal to see that hornbills come out to eat fruit in the villagers' homes.
HORNBILLS VIEWING
Duration : 5 hours
* Child (4-11 years old)
*All-inclusive / Based on a minimum of 2 persons
HORNBILLS VIEWING
OPTIONS
Morning Session:
Pick up from hotel at 07.00
End Program 13:00
A study with Mahidol University found that while hornbills on Koh Yao Noi have enough food from various fruits, they faced threats from poaching, with each bird sold for 4,000-5,000 baht. Additionally, hornbills require large natural tree cavities for nesting, which have decreased due to deforestation.
To combat these issues, local villagers, including Health Volunteers, worked together to eliminate poaching, reducing baby bird theft to zero within three years. For nesting, artificial nests were designed by Mahidol University after much trial and error. These nests are 50 cm wide, 50 cm long, and 1 meter high, with a 12-13 cm entry hole. A thick edge and a 10 cm soil layer are included to mimic natural conditions, allowing hornbills to seal the entrance effectively.
Hornbills’ breeding cycle begins in February when males find suitable nesting sites. Females then lay eggs, seal the cavity, and care for the chicks for about two months until they are ready to start flying, highlighting the importance of tall cavities for their development.
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