The Tanzanian red-billed hornbill (Tockus ruahae) lives in open savanna, woodland and thorn scrub in central Tanzania. It is an omnivore, eating fruit, insects and small animals. Hornbills are named because the shape of their bill reminded early people of cattle horns. The hornbill's first two neck vertebrae are fused to support its large bill. Zazu, a character in the animated film The Lion King movies is an African red-billed hornbill. Red-billed hornbills have a thin, red bill and pale head with dark gray, neck and white face. Their body is sooty brown with white stripe down center, white belly, black with white spotted primaries, and black tail. Males and females are similar in appearance, but males are slightly larger.
Alajabu the Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill (Lou Romano)
Zazu (Rowan Atkinson/John Oliver)
Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill in Lincoln Park Zoo
Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill in Tanzania
