How to identify southern ground hornbill
- Large black body and heavy curved bill
- Red bare facial and throat skin
- White wing feathers most obvious in flight
Do not identify from one clue alone.
Distance, age, sex, season and light can change an animal’s appearance. Combine several visible features and keep “not sure” as a valid answer.
Behaviour and habitat
What you may notice
Lives in cooperative family groups
What you may notice
Walks slowly while searching for animal prey
What you may notice
Uses deep booming calls that carry over distance
Where it fits
Savanna, open woodland and grassland with large nesting trees.
What can it be confused with?
Other hornbills are much smaller and spend more time in trees. Females may show a blue patch on the red throat skin.
View it responsibly
This is a threatened species. Keep well back, never reveal a nest and avoid repeatedly calling or surrounding a group.
Location protection applies.
Wild This Way withholds or generalises sensitive wildlife positions. Never add a road number, landmark or exact pin to a public post.