A family of hornbills questions everything when they attack two epic snakes in an attempt to feed their young.

A 70-year-old retiree witnessed this shocking sighting and shared his story and the images with

“I have been lucky enough to see some extraordinary birds. However, nothing could have prepared me for this very unexpected sighting. It all started when we saw a family of ground hornbills. They had been walking along the H1-4 road, foraging for food and digging through the undergrowth in search of potential prey.”

“The ground hornbills suddenly froze and fixed their gaze on something in the distance. As we got closer, our binoculars spotted two vipers mating, unaware of the impending danger.”

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Puff adders, like other snakes, mate by searching for a partner. Males give off a special scent to attract females. When a female is ready to mate, they perform a dance together. They twist their bodies and move their tongues in a display of beauty.

Hornbills attack diving adders in the middle of the road to feed their young.

“With calculated speed, the male ground hornbill attacked, his bright eyes focused intently on the Epomoea species snakes. With a sudden increase in speed, he launched himself at the first puff adder. The snakes were driven away. Within moments, the first puff adder closed in on the attacking ground hornbill.”

“The female ground hornbill and the chick joined the attack. They took on the other snake and managed to kill it as well. But the birds did not stop there; they continuously attacked the snakes with their beaks and feet. They made sure that the snakes did not move before they started feeding.”

Ground hornbills are classified as “peregrines” due to habitat loss and poaching, making this sighting even more valuable. By witnessing their progress and breeding behavior, one can develop an appreciation for the conservation efforts dedicated to protecting these magnificent birds and their habitat.