Hornbills
/ˈhɔːrnˌbɪlz/noun
Hornbills are large tropical birds known for their long bills and prominent casque on the upper mandible.
Did you know?The “horn” in hornbill is not mystical at all: it comes from the same deep Germanic root as the horn you blow, while the bird’s name is a plain descriptive compound that English later used for several striking species.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱer-
“to horn; a projecting point or horn”
Old English
OE
horn
“horn, a projecting point; also a drinking horn or musical horn”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hurną
“horn”
Middle English
ME
horn
“horn; a pointed projection”
English
English
hornbill
“a bird with a horn-like bill or casque”