HORNBILLS & TOUNCANS
The magnificent, colorful beaks of toucans and hornbills might make you
think they’re related. Both bird types do keep their respective forest homes healthy and thriving. They have similar diets. But hornbills live in Africa and Asia. Toucans live in Central and South America. Their anatomical structures differ. And, although some hornbills beaks look similar to toucans’, most hornbills have a distinctive beak feature called a casque.
They both play the role of forest omnivore, feeding on fruits, insects and small creatures, including bird eggs, lizards and young mice. Their similar bills come in handy when foraging for food. Both groups of birds nest in cavities. These large bills also play a part in protecting eggs and nestlings from potential predators.