Southern Ground-hornbill

Taxobox
name = Southern Ground-hornbill
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1


image_caption =
image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Coraciiformes
familia = Bucerotidae
subfamilia = Bucorvinae
genus = "Bucorvus"
species = "B. leadbeateri"
binomial = "Bucorvus leadbeateri"
binomial_authority = (Vigors, 1825)
synonyms = "Bucorvus cafer" (Vigors, 1825)

The Southern Ground-hornbill, "Bucorvus leadbeateri" or "cafer", is one of two species of ground-hornbill and is the largest species of hornbill.

It is a large bird, at 90 to 129 cm (36 to 51 in) long and a weight of 2.2 to 6.2 kg (4.8 to 13.6 lbs), with the male considerably larger than the female. It is characterized by black coloration and vivid red patches of bare skin on the face and throat (yellow in juvenile birds). The white tips of the wings (primary feathers) seen in flight are another diagnostic characteristic. The beak is black and straight and presents a casque, more developed in males. Female Southern Ground-hornbills are smaller and have violet-blue skin on their throats.

Its habitat comprises savannahs, woodlands and grasslands. It can be found from northern Namibia and Angola to northern South Africa to Burundi and Kenya. The Southern Ground Hornbill is a vulnerable species, mainly confined to national reserves and national parks. They live in groups of 5 to 10 individuals including adults and juveniles. Often, neighbouring groups are engaged in aerial pursuits. They forage on the ground, where they feed on reptiles, frogs, snails, insects and mammals up to the size of hares. Juveniles are dependent on adults for 6 to 12 months.

The other species of the genus "Bucorvus" is the Abyssinian Ground-hornbill, "B. abyssinicus".

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
*
* Maclean, Gordon Lindsay. "Roberts' Birds of South Africa", 6th Edition
*

External links

* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=3569 Southern Ground Hornbill videos] on the Internet Bird Collection