These birds are omnivorous, taking both plant and animal food. They skillfully seize swarming termites in flight and pursue grasshoppers on the ground. In the Zoo they are fed Soft Bill mix, soaked dog chow, crickets and mealworms. Hornbills reach sexual maturity at between one and six years depending on their size, but how long they live in the wild is unknown. The rainy season stimulates breeding behavior.
Most hornbills are monogamous.
They nest in natural cavities, usually in trees but also in rock faces and earth banks. In most species, including the Red-billed hornbill, the female seals the nest entrance using mud and her own droppings mixed with food remains. She makes a narrow vertical slit, through which the male feeds her. The female lays up to five eggs. She incubates for three weeks, remaining sealed in with her offspring for another three weeks.