At Lodhi Garden in Delhi, a captivating avian drama is unfolding beneath an old semal tree, featuring a resident family of Indian grey hornbills and a lone female Oriental pied hornbill. The latter, which is not typically found in the capital, has been observed feeding the grey hornbill chicks, leading to a complex narrative of adoption and territorial conflict. Birders, including Sheila Chhabra and Nikhil Devasar, have described the situation as a 'psycho-drama.'

The Oriental pied hornbill, primarily found in the Terai and Himalayan foothills, has been seen in Delhi sporadically since 2013, with two females currently reported. Observers noted the pied hornbill regurgitating berries and fruit for the chicks, but tensions arose when the resident male grey hornbill also attempted to feed them. The situation escalated on Saturday when the pied hornbill was seen trying to present a dead grey hornbill chick to the nesting mother, which was rejected. This behavior has led to speculation about the pied hornbill's maternal instincts and intentions. Birders are eager to continue monitoring this intriguing situation as more drama is anticipated.