There are over 70 species in this order. They are found in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

HORNBILLS

Hornbills are all found in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific. They live in a variety of habitats including deserts, the grasslands, and forests. They are omnivorous and eat insects, fruit, birds, and other small animals. They have large bills topped with horny plates called casques. In most species, the casque is hollow. Hornbills are usually large birds and vary in coloring.

HOOPOES

There are only two living species of hoopoes. The Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Madagascar Hoopoe (Upupa marginata) is only found in Madagascar. Hoopoes live in dry, warm, open areas.

WOOD-HOOPOES AND SCIMITARBILLS

Wood-hoopoes and scimitarbills are all found in open woodlands in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.

There are 5 species of wood-hoopoes: the Green Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus), Violet Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus damarensis), Black-billed Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus somaliensis), White-headed Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus bollei), and the Forest Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus castaneiceps).

There are 3 species of scimitarbills: the Black Scimitarbill (Rhinopomastus aterrimus), the Common Scimitarbill (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas), and the Abyssinian Scimitarbill (Rhinopomastus minor).

Scimitarbills are sometimes placed in their own family, Rhinopomastidae.

FAMILIES

Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes, Scimitarbills)
Upupidae (Hoopoes)