HORNBILL

HORNBILL

Hornbill, World tropical birds constituting the family Bucerotidae. They are typically large-headed, with thin necks, broad wings, and long tails. The plumage is brown or black, usually with bold white markings. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly colored and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible.

They are omnivorous, feeding on fruit and small animals. They are monogamous ( an individual has only one partner during their lifetime ) breeders nesting in natural cavities in trees and sometimes cliffs.

Hornbills possess binocular vision, although unlike most birds with this type of vision, the bill intrudes on their visual field.

DIET

Forest-dwelling species of hornbills are considered to be important seed dispersers. Some hornbills defend a fixed territory. Territoriality is related to diet; fruit sources are often patchily distributed and require long-distance travel to find. Thus, species that specialise in fruit are less territorial.