Search

Southern Ground Hornbill

on 17th October 2008

Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is found in parts of Kenya, Burundi, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. This is the largest and heaviest of the hornbills. The plumage is all black with white primary feathers that are apparent only when the bird flies, and that is infrequently and only when necessary. The male has red facial skin and an inflatable bright red throat skin (above). The female has a blue patch on the red throat skin.

This hornbill is a terrestrial creature living in groups consisting of a dominant pair with accompanying offspring. These juveniles remain in the group until maturity, helping in the feeding of nestlings. The group defends their patch of territory in the African savanna, although they may wander into grasslands adjoining patches of forests.

It is carnivorous by nature, catching small animals such as frogs, snakes, lizards, rats, hares, squirrels and tortoises. They also eat arthropods like grasshoppers, beetles, scorpions and termites. Small food items are picked with precision while larger animals are killed by the pickaxe action of the bill that has the power to crush bones and skulls.

Winston Loong
Singapore
October 2008

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
492
4441
Visitors Today
52064698
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)