Hornbills and Hoopoes

Bucerotiformes includes medium to large birds known for their long, often sharply curved bills. This group contains hornbills, which have a prominent casque on top of their bills, and hoopoes, famous for their eye-catching crests that they can raise. Most of these birds have striking feather patterns in black, white, reddish-brown, or combinations of these colours. Their bills are often large compared to their body size, suited to their varied diets. These birds are mainly found in Africa, Asia, and southern Europe, living in forests, woodlands, and savannah areas. Some species have unusual nesting habits, where the female seals herself inside a tree hole while she lays and cares for her eggs. Smaller species tend to fly with a wave-like motion, while the larger hornbills have strong, direct flight with clear wingbeats. This group comes from an old family of birds that live both in trees and on the ground. They mostly eat insects and fruit, and some are known for their impressive vocal sounds.