In the Neotropical realm, toucans occupy the hornbills' ecological niche, an example of convergent evolution. A number of mainly insular species of hornbill with small ranges are threatened with extinction, namely in Southeast Asia. They are monogamous breeders nesting in natural cavities in trees and sometimes cliffs. The family is omnivorous, feeding on fruit and small animals. They are the only birds in which the first and second neck vertebrae (the atlas and axis respectively) are fused together this probably provides a more stable platform for carrying the bill. Both the common English and the scientific name of the family refer to the shape of the bill, "buceros" being "cow horn" in Greek. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly coloured and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. ![]() Hornbills ( Bucerotidae) are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. Several hornbill species are vulnerable or endangered due to deforestation and/or small ranges on islands (IUCN Redlist). Females do the final sealing, which likely protects her and the chicks from predators (Campbell and Lack 1985). All hornbills except for those in the genus Bucorvus seal their nest holes. Hornbills breed monogamously, sometimes with helpers, and nest in natural cavities in trees or cliffs. Asian hornbills are primarily frugivorous and are important seed dispersers, while African hornbills are more carnivorous (Viseshakul et al. This condition is unique in birds and may provide more stable support for the large bill (Campbell and Lack 1985).ĭespite the superficial resemblance, hornbills are not related to toucans although many are similar ecologically. The first two neck vertebrae, the axis and the atlas, are fused. Some species have a large casque, or helmet-like structure, on the upper bill. ![]() The bill frequently bears bright colors and has ridges or notches on the side. The name "hornbill" refers to the shape of the bill, which is long and down-curved like a cow's horn. They are most closely related to the hoopoes and woodhoopoes (Hackett et al. Hornbills (Bucerotidae) are a family of about 55 large, charismatic bird species native to tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, New Guinea, and nearby islands.
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