What animal is Zazu?

Zazu is a hornbill in The Lion King.

More specifically, the original film identifies him as a red-billed hornbill. He serves as majordomo to Mufasa and later to Simba, making him a royal adviser, messenger, and strict enforcer of palace protocol in the Pride Lands.

Zazu is voiced by Rowan Atkinson in the 1994 film. His anxious, rule-conscious personality provides comic contrast with Simba’s adventurousness, while his loyalty keeps him connected to the ruling family through Scar’s takeover and Simba’s return.

The answer is often mixed up with macaws, parrots, or toucans because all are colorful tropical birds. Those are different bird groups; Zazu’s design and stated species place him among hornbills. The 2019 remake also describes Zazu as a hornbill, voiced there by John Oliver.