Hornbills are an Old World family containing 54 species, and found in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and throughout southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea. They are forest birds, with large, distinctively shaped bills, from which they get their name. They are also known for their interesting social behaviour and nesting habits. This is the first thorough treatment of this group. There are general chapters on biology, feeding ecology, breeding behaviour, evolutionary relationships, and conservation. The species descriptions include range, status and distribution, The accompanying colour plates by Martin Woodcock show adults and juveniles.