Zazu is a hornbill from the Disney film The Lion King. Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. There are 54 species of hornbill.
Quick Facts About Zazu
- Zazu is a red-billed hornbill, a fictional species from the movie.
- He serves as Royal Majordomo to Mufasa and later Simba in the films.
- Zazu is known for his uptight personality and loyalty to the lion king.
- He is voiced by actor Rowan Atkinson in the films.
All About Hornbills
Hornbills are large birds characterized by their long, down-curved bills and loud calls. They are found in tropical forests and savannas in Africa, Asia and Melanesia.
There are two main groups of hornbills:
- The Bucerotidae family includes the large hornbills of Africa and Asia. They have large, colorful casques on top of their bills.
- The Bucorvidae family includes the smaller hornbills of Africa and Melanesia. They lack casques.
Size and Appearance
Hornbills are medium to large birds, ranging in size from the black dwarf hornbill at 32 cm (12.5 in) and 150 g (5.3 oz) to the southern ground hornbill at up to 152 cm (60 in) and 6.3 kg (14 lbs). Females are smaller than males.
They have sturdy, large billsaveraging about one-quarter their body length. The casques on some species are used to amplify calls. Hornbills have compact bodies with broad wings and lengthy tails. Their feet are zygodactyl with two forward-facing and two backward-facing toes.
Hornbills exhibit sexual dichromatism, meaning males and females differ in their plumage. Males tend to have black and white plumage with touches of red, yellow or blue. Females are mainly black, gray and white. Juveniles resemble adult females.
Habitat and Distribution
Hornbills are found throughout subtropical and tropical regions of Africa and Asia. Their range extends from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to New Guinea and Australia. In Africa, they are found in forest, woodland and savanna habitats from the Sahara south to southern Africa.
Most species prefer forests, especially tropical rainforests. Some savanna-dwelling species tolerate semi-arid conditions. Hornbills are absent from deserts, polar regions and the Americas. Only one species, the northern red-billed hornbill, ventures into temperate climates during seasonal migrations.
Diet
Hornbills are omnivorous, feeding on fruit, insects, small reptiles and mammals. Larger species hunt snakes, lizards, squirrels and other small vertebrates. Smaller hornbills eat more fruit. Fig trees provide an important food source for many species.
Some hornbills feed on fish and aquatic invertebrates, diving down from treetops to snatch prey from the water. Southern ground hornbills hunt cooperatively in small groups to take down larger prey like hares, snakes, tortoises and young antelopes.
Breeding Habits
Hornbills form monogamous pairs that may remain together for many years. Prior to breeding, the female hornbill seals herself into a tree hollow. She leaves only a narrow slit through which the male feeds her and the chicks once the eggs hatch.
The female modifies the entrance with mud, droppings and food remains. She stays sealed in the nest cavity for several months until the chicks are half grown. This protects the chicks and eggs from predators. The male brings food to the nest during this period.
Major Hornbill Species
There are two hornbill subfamilies.
Bucorvinae – Ground & Dwarf Hornbills
This subfamily consists of 13 species of smaller hornbills lacking casques. They are found in the Old World tropics from Africa to Australasia. Examples include:
- Southern ground hornbill – The largest hornbill, named for its terrestrial habits. It is an African savanna species that lives in groups.
- Black dwarf hornbill – The smallest hornbill, it inhabits forests in West Africa.
- Rhinoceros hornbill – Named for its large casque, it is found in Southeast Asian rainforests.
- Great hornbill – A large, widespread Asian species with a yellow casque.
Bucerotinae – Large Hornbills
The subfamily Bucerotinae includes 41 species of large, colorful, casqued hornbills. Most are African, with a few Asian species. Examples include:
- Southern yellow-billed hornbill – Common and widespread in southern Africa.
- Crowned hornbill – An African rainforest species with a large, flattened red and black casque.
- Wreathed hornbill – Makes an iconic whooping call, found in Indian forests.
- Rufous-necked hornbill – An Indonesian species with a bright red bill and throat.
Zazu in The Lion King
Zazu is a fictional hornbill character who appears in Disney’s acclaimed 1994 animated film The Lion King. He is a red-billed hornbill and serves as majordomo and advisor to the lion kings Mufasa and Simba.
Personality and Role
Zazu has a serious, uptight personality. He sees himself as responsible for organizing the daily affairs of the king and ensuring the animals follow the rules. Zazu often reprimands or scolds other characters, especially the mischievous lion cub Simba.
Despite his stuffy nature, Zazu is intelligent and perceptive. He offers King Mufasa valuable insights and advice. Zazu remains devoted to the royal family despite Mufasa’s death and Simba’s long absence.
Appearance
Zazu has bright blue feathers with a lighter blue chest, cheeks and flight feathers. His most distinctive feature is his large, hooked red bill. He is smaller than real hornbills and has more plumage on his head.
Zazu maintains an upright posture and often flies between his perches. In one scene, Scar grabs Zazu in his mouth, holding him prisoner.
Voice Actor
British comedian Rowan Atkinson provides Zazu’s voice in the original Lion King and sequel movies. Atkinson was well-known for Mr. Bean and Blackadder at the time. His proper, almost shrill tone suits the finicky majordomo.
Edward Hibbert voiced Zazu in the Broadway musical and John Oliver plays him in the 2019 CGI remake. Other voice actors have portrayed Zazu in TV spinoffs over the years.
Key Facts About Hornbills
Here are some key facts about hornbills:
Trait | Description |
---|---|
Species | 54 species in 2 subfamilies |
Size | 12.5 in to 60 in long |
Habitat | Forests and savannas in Africa, Asia, Melanesia |
Diet | Omnivorous, eating fruit, insects, small vertebrates |
Billing | Long, downcurved bill averaging 1/4 body length |
Casque | Bony structure atop bill on many species |
Plumage | Black and white, with red, yellow, blue accents |
Conservation | 10 species threatened, deforestation main threat |
Conclusion
Zazu is a fictional red-billed hornbill who acts as majordomo to Mufasa and Simba in Disney’s The Lion King. Hornbills are a diverse, widespread family of tropical birds known for their large bills and distinct casques.
There are 54 hornbill species in Africa, Asia, and Melanesia. They inhabit forests and woodlands, where they feed on fruit, small animals, and more. Hornbills are monogamous and exhibit unique nesting habits.
While Zazu’s appearance and personality are exaggerated for film, he exhibits traits typical of real hornbills. His loyal service and officious manner appropriately reflect the responsibilities of his role within the lion kingdom.