ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS

Hornbills are large, charismatic birds of the rainforest with a distinctive hard bony 'casque' above
their bill. Their role as ecosystem engineers is critical. Largely frugivorous  hornbills feed on a variety
of fruiting species, especially figs. They disperse ripe fruit away from the parent trees and help in the
regeneration of rainforest trees. Hornbills are considered as keystone species, indispensable to the
functioning of ecoystems.