Definition

Noun: 1. A tropical bird with a very large, often curved bill: A hornbill is a bird found primarily in tropical Africa and Asia. Its most distinctive feature is its exceptionally large bill, which is frequently curved and has a bony casque (a hollow or solid protuberance) on top. Hornbills are part of the order Bucerotiformes and are related to kingfishers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We saw a colorful hornbill perched high in the rainforest canopy.
  • The hornbill's massive bill is surprisingly lightweight because it is hollow inside.
  • The call of the hornbill is a loud, echoing sound.

Advanced Usage

• Ecological role: Hornbills are often called "farmers of the forest" because they disperse seeds over large distances, playing a crucial role in maintaining tropical ecosystems.
• Unique nesting behavior: Female hornbills seal themselves inside a tree cavity during incubation, leaving only a small slit through which the male feeds her and the chicks.

Variants and Related Words

• Bucerotidae (n): The scientific family name for hornbills.
• Casque (n): The bony structure on top of a hornbill's bill.
• Ground hornbill (n): A specific type of hornbill (genus ) that is larger and spends more time walking on the ground than other species.

Synonyms

• Tropical bird (general)
• Bucerotid (scientific, rare)

Related Phrases / Terms

• Hornbill conservation: Refers to efforts to protect hornbill species, many of which are threatened by habitat loss and hunting.
• Hornbill festival: A cultural festival named after the bird, notably held in Nagaland, India.

Noun

1. bird of tropical Africa and Asia having a very large bill surmounted by a bony protuberance; related to kingfishers