Vulnerable Birds

Southern Ground Hornbill

Bucorvus leadbeateri

Southern Ground Hornbill, a carnivorous bird in dry African savannas and woodlands.

Scientific name	Bucorvus leadbeateri
Swahili name	Kasuku wa Ardhi wa Kusini
Conservation status	Vulnerable
Class	Aves
Order	Bucerotiformes
Family	Bucerotidae
Size	Male: approximately 3.5-4.5 kg; Female: approximately 2.5-3.5 kg

See this species in the app

How to identify

Large body size, body length about 90-130 cm; plumage mainly black with a blue-green sheen on wing tips and tail feathers; face and throat bare skin bright red; bill large and curved; slow gait, often walks on the ground.

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, shrubland, open forests and grasslands, preferring relatively dry environments.

Diet

Carnivorous, primarily preys on insects, small reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, bird eggs and chicks.

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day, more active at dawn and dusk.

Where it lives

Mainly distributed in southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

How to spot it

Look for them at dawn or dusk in open grasslands and sparse woodland areas, listen for their deep calls; use telephoto lenses for photographing ground activity.

Photography tips

Use natural light to capture the vivid bare facial skin and large body size; try to capture feeding and social behaviors; use long lenses to avoid disturbance.