History of Thailand Hornbill Project

The Thailand Hornbill Project was initiated after Dr.Pilai Poonswad spent a brief spell in 1978 acting as a guide to a BBC film crew in Khao Yai where they were making a documentary film entitled “Fig Feast at Khao Yai,” based on a scientific article by Dr. H. E. Mcclure.

It was featured as one part in their series “Safari to Thailand.” The producer, Jeffery Boswall, asked Dr. Pilai to find a hornbill roost, a fruiting fig and if possible, a hornbill’s nest. Dr. Pilai spent about a week searching for a roost without success. At that time she was very ignorant about hornbills and did not know that in January (at which time of the year it was) hornbills would have already dispersed from flocking.

However, she was lucky enough to spot a fruiting fig tree near the road in the park. she watched the hornbills while the BBC was filming a male Great Hornbill and other birds and mammals which were feeding on ripe figs. Dr. Pilai was very excited to see a hornbill at such close quarters. Her excitement increased when she subsequently watched a Great Hornbill at its nest, fascinated by its size, sound and behavior.

When Atsuo Tsuji visited her in early 1979, Dr. Pilai insisted on taking him to see this fascinating bird although she knew Atsuo Tsuji had primarily come to see shorebirds. Watching Atsuo Tsuji at work with these birds, Dr. Pilai grew patience, Atsuo Tsuji's work ethics, and of course, his talent as a photographer. Later, observing his tension in watching the male Great Hornbill, Dr. Pilai knew that Atsuo Tsuji, too, was completely captivated. Both of them thus spellbound and gripped with curiosity about this bird, the Hornbill Project was begun.

Hornbill Research Foundation
C/o Department of Microbiology
Facutly of Science, Mahidol University
Rama 6 Rd., Bangkok 10400
Tel: 66-2-201-5532
Fax: 66-2-644-5411