Frugivory and seed dispersal by hornbills (Bucerotidae) in tropical forests

Abstract I summarize the current knowledge of frugivory and seed dispersal by hornbills in tropical forests. Many studies report on frugivory by hornbills but few specifically identify hornbills as effective dispersers. Hornbills are able to disperse a diverse array of fruits in tropical forests (748 plant species from 252 genera and 79 families) and move many of the seeds far from the parent trees. They digest only the fleshy parts of fruits that they swallow and then regurgitate/defecate the seeds intact. The relatively long seed retention times (>1 h) and propensity for depositing seeds away from the parent trees while foraging suggest high-quality dispersal. Some seeds might be aggregated at nest and roost sites, but hornbills are capable of dispersing seeds over several kilometers, resulting in a relatively even spread of seeds throughout the forest. Based on the results summarized here, hornbills provide excellent seed dispersal services to tropical plants in their respective habitats.