Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Tockus leucomelas
Least Concern
This hornbill might look familiar - it's the species that Zazu from The Lion King is based on! Their large, curved yellow beak is used to catch insects and pick fruit.
Like other hornbills, females seal themselves inside tree holes to nest. The male feeds her through a small opening until the chicks are ready to leave.
Size
About the size of a crow
Medium (25-40 cm)
Wingspan: 50 cm
Weight: 200 g
Colors
black
white
yellow
Habitat
grasslandforest
Diet
insectsberriessmall mammals
Fun Facts
- ✨Zazu from The Lion King is a Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill!
- ✨They catch scorpions and beat them against rocks to remove stingers.
- ✨Females seal themselves inside their nest with mud!
- ✨They have a comical bouncing flight pattern.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great news! This bird is doing well. There are lots of them in the wild, and they have safe places to live and find food.
Population trend: decreasing 📉