Hornbill Courtship feeding - dating

A male bird offers food to his mate

Courtship feeding is a misnomer. It describes behavior when a male bird offers food to his mate, but it occurs most frequently when actual courtship is over. Most courtship feeding occurs during egg formation, laying, and incubation and can provide a valuable source of nutrients for females. 

(From the British Trust for Ornithology)

The Malaysian pied hornbill is common in my backyard. A pair of males and females fly low and make a loud call. This adaptable species feeds on figs, palm fruits, guava, papaya, rambutan, and wild fruits from nearby plantation.

The male on the left seems to feed the female with papaya flesh.

Malaysian pied hornbill. (Anthracoceros albirostris)

When a male bird offers food to his mate, it's called courtship feeding. It's a common behavior during egg formation, laying, and incubation. Why it happens Courtship: In spring, male birds may offer food to attract a female and establish a pair bond. Nutrition: The food can provide a valuable source of nutrients for the female, especially when she's incubating eggs and can't forage for herself. Promise: The male may be promising to help feed the nestlings. (From Generative AI)