Hornbill

The Hornbill, or Bucerotidae, exhibits a wide variety of colours and beak variations, making it one of the most distinct and often memorable sightings on any sub-Saharan safari.

A member of a bird family found predominantly in tropical and subtropical Africa, and Asia, this bird is, first and foremost, recognised by its impressive bill: with a long and downward sloping shape to it, this appendage is made all the more noticeable by its frequently stunning colours. Supported by extremely powerful neck muscles and specially fused vertebrae (the first and second), this well grounded bill assists the bird in combat, as well as serving the usual functions of preening, and catching, constructing nests, as well as catching prey, to which it is well suited.

The hornbill's casque is extremely unique among birds - a typically hollow structure running along the upper mandible, most species have nothing inside of it but reinforcing bone and occasional openings as call resonators. Among Helmeted Hornbills, the casque is filled with ivory, which the Hornbill uses as a battering ram in aerial jousting maneuvers.

This omnivorous bird bases its diet on fruit and small animals.