As the sun sets, the Common Scimitarbill looks for a safe place to spend the night. Rather than sleeping on an exposed branch, it slips into a natural hollow in the side of a tree, where it’s protected from predators and the elements.
Although its long, curved bill looks impressive, it can’t excavate its own cavity like a woodpecker. Instead, it relies on existing tree hollows, often returning to the same roost night after night.
This remarkable behaviour was beautifully captured in Makuleke, Kruger National Park last night.
