As the largest hornbill species, southern ground-hornbills command attention with their imposing presence and distinctive breeding habits, which reflect the slow but deliberate pace of their reproductive strategy.
Southern ground-hornbills show that patience pays off, as they have a very low rate of reproductive success. While breeding pairs often attempt to nest, they typically raise only one chick, which leaves the nest about once every nine years. Even when two eggs are laid, usually only one chick survives, which demonstrates how difficult it is to raise young birds in the African wilderness.
Despite their formidable size and striking appearance, southern ground-hornbills face serious threats to their survival, primarily from habitat loss, fragmentation, and increasing human disturbance. As farming, urbanization, and poor land management spread across Africa’s savannas and woodlands, the habitats these birds need are disappearing, placing greater stress on their populations. To help, conservationists work to protect and restore habitats, promote better land use, and provide artificial nest sites because natural ones are increasingly difficult to find. They also run programs to reintroduce the birds to areas where they have disappeared.
In addition to their reproductive habits, southern ground-hornbills are known for their distinctive physical features, including a bright red patch of skin on the face that extends toward the neck. This bare skin, which contains a speck of purple in females, serves both ornamental and practical functions, playing a role in communication, thermoregulation, and social signaling within the group.
Distribution
Angola
Botswana
Burundi
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Eswatini
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Rwanda
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweDid you know?
- Known for being territorial and highly social birds that rear their offspring in groups, which involves extensive parental guidance and may last up to two years. This process is the longest of any bird species that has been observed.
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
