Rare flock of hornbills spotted feeding outside Khao Yai

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 10 November 2026, A rare sighting of around eight hornbills flying out of Khao Yai National Park to feed on figs at a school in Pak Chong district has attracted tourists and locals eager to capture photographs of the birds.

The birds were spotted perched in a large fig tree at Ban Bung Toei School in Moo Si subdistrict, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, where they gathered to feed on its ripe fruit.

Figs are among more than 300 types of food hornbills are known to eat. The fruit is a year-round food source because it grows throughout the year, has soft flesh and contains no latex. Hornbills also feed on other wild fruits.

Although hornbills can be found in Khao Yai National Park, seeing a flock gather outside the park to forage is relatively uncommon. Such gatherings are generally associated with feeding activities or seasonal movements.

Visitors hoping to spot hornbills usually have to venture into Khao Yai National Park, making the sighting at the school particularly special for tourists and local residents.

The presence of the hornbills also reflects the ecological richness of Khao Yai’s forests, where wildlife continues to thrive and forage naturally beyond the boundaries of the national park.