After the summer rains when there is adequate mud around, the female secretes herself away in a natural cavity in a tree which is lined with mud for insulation and the entrance is completely sealed off with mud and excreta bar a slit for her bill to receive food from her mate.
During her incarceration she is completely reliant on her partner to care for her and should he neglect his duties, she could die.
The "estate"is 4 m above the ground with a cavity of 20 cm wide with the floor of the nest about 10 cm below the entrance lip.
After the chicks break out of the nest cavity at the end of their epic nesting experience, the family remains together for a couple of weeks during which time the adults continue to feed the chicks. After 3 weeks they become independent.
(Game ranger in your backpack, Emmett, Pattrick; 2012)
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