Juliet

Juliet’s casque — the large structure above her beak characteristic of hornbills — once required veterinary intervention, leading her care team to fit her with a custom 3D-printed replacement to support her long-term comfort and health.

It is a remarkable example of how modern veterinary care and technology can assist in the management of large bird species under human care. Juliet herself, meanwhile, appears largely unconcerned by the innovation.

Juliet is often observed resting quietly on the ground or sunbathing within her habitat, occasionally alarming guests who assume something must surely be wrong. Usually, nothing is wrong at all.

During rainfall, she frequently tilts her head back and allows rainwater to fall directly into her mouth — an effective method of drinking for hornbills, which cannot easily use their tongues to lap water. Afterwards, she generally resumes sitting still with the air of a bird entirely satisfied with how the afternoon has gone.

Juliet shares her habitat with Romeo, her long-term mate. During nesting season, female great pied hornbills seal themselves inside the nest cavity while the male remains outside delivering food through a narrow opening. Romeo performs this task with notable consistency, regularly bringing food to Juliet throughout the nesting period.

The care team monitors the pair closely as part of the breeding programme, particularly during breeding attempts and nesting activity. It is one of the more remarkable parenting arrangements in the bird world — and one requiring a considerable amount of trust on Juliet’s part.