Mongoose 'plays dead' to lure hornbill
A group on a drive at the Sabi Sands Game Reserve observed a mongoose making a great effort to draw the attention of a yellow-billed hornbill.
Tayla McCurdy, a safari guide with WildEarth, was delighted when she and her group came across an unusual encounter between a dwarf mongoose and a Southern yellow-billed hornbill.
At first, the small group of mongooses is seen playing off to the side. Once one of them spots the hornbill, he goes up to the bird, and then throws himself on his back, apparently playing dead. When the hornbill does not react, the mongoose gets up, looks at the bird, and then tosses himself on his back once again.
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Tayla can be heard saying that she has never seen this kind of behaviour between a mongoose and a hornbill before.
So, was the mongoose playing dead or was he asking the hornbill to come and join his little group for some play time? After all, it is well-known that mongooses and hornbills are hunting buddies: the hornbills look out for larger predators, while the mongooses help the hornbills by finding insects for them to eat.
Experts say dwarf mongooses will often roll on their backs when playing with other mongooses. In this case, it is more likely that the mongoose wanted to invite the hornbill on a group foraging expedition.
It is a pity the bird seemed so unimpressed with the mongoose's efforts at friendship...