ExploreBirds

Southern Ground Hornbill

Bucorvus leadbeateri

The Southern Ground Hornbill is a large, colorful bird that walks on the ground. They have big, bright beaks and can make loud calls. These birds are social and often travel in groups, looking for food together.

Habitat: Savannas

Appearance

The Southern Ground Hornbill is a very large, black bird with striking bare patches of bright red skin around its eyes and on its throat. Males have a more vivid red pouch, contrasting with their dark plumage and robust beak. They have surprisingly long, noticeable eyelashes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderBucerotiformesFamilyBucorvidaeGenusBucorvus
Southern Ground Hornbill
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgecolorful trait badgeinsectivorous trait badge
Southern Ground Hornbill

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Only the dominant pair breeds, with the whole family helping raise chicks.

Southern Ground Hornbills are one of the heaviest flying birds in the world!

These birds have surprisingly long, thick eyelashes, like a supermodel!

They 'march' through grasslands, often walking over 10 kilometers a day!

Special abilities

Ability

Booming Voicebox

Southern Ground Hornbills can make deep, booming calls because of their inflatable throat sac, that helps them communicate across vast distances.

Ability

Poison Predator

Southern Ground Hornbills can safely eat venomous snakes and scorpions because of their tough skin and quick reflexes.

Ability

Teamwork Hunter

Southern Ground Hornbills can hunt cooperatively in groups because they live in family units, that helps them catch larger prey.

Measurements & details

Length
90-129 cm
Wingspan
120-180 cm
Weight
2.2-6.2 kg
Lifespan
30-60 years
Top Speed
35 km/h
Clutch Size
1-2
Incubation
37-43 days

Diet & Feeding

These big birds mostly eat creepy crawlies and small animals they find on the ground!

Primary Foods

  • Insects
  • Spiders
  • Scorpions
  • Lizards
  • Snakes
  • Rodents

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Mozambique Spitting Cobra

Naja mossambica

Preys on venomous snakes.

hunts

Striped Skink

Trachylepis striata

Consumes various species of skinks.

hunts

Multimammate Mouse

Mastomys coucha

Preys on common African rodents.

eaten by

Leopard

Panthera pardus

Can prey on young or sick individuals.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Watch these birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. They are wild animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Southern Ground Hornbill?

90-129 cm

What is Southern Ground Hornbill's wingspan?

120-180 cm

How much does Southern Ground Hornbill weigh?

2.2-6.2 kg

How long does Southern Ground Hornbill live?

30-60 years

How fast can Southern Ground Hornbill move?

35 km/h

What does Southern Ground Hornbill eat?

These big birds mostly eat creepy crawlies and small animals they find on the ground!

Where is Southern Ground Hornbill usually found?

Savannas

How does Southern Ground Hornbill hunt?

Foraging

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Where to spot

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