The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Southern Ground Hornbill
Afrikaans name: Bromvoël
Southern Ground Hornbill in Kruger National Park
Photo © Steven Herbert
Bucorvus leadbeateri
The Southern Ground Hornbill is a large bird that can weigh up to 6 kg. In fact it is the largest species of hornbill.
Some people are surprised to find out that the Ground Hornbill can fly. It does, however, spend most of its time on the ground looking for food.
Males are larger than females and all the bare skin on their throats and faces is red while the female is red with some bluish skin on the throat below the bill. Juveniles have yellow skin.
The Southern Ground Hornbill eats a variety of foods including reptiles, insects, amphibians and small mammals.
They live in small groups and may often be seen walking along side roads in game parks like Kruger National Park. Southern Ground Hornbills are quite capable of flying but you tend to see them on the ground. They stroll around in small family groups looking for food on the ground.
Southern Ground Hornbills make their nests in large hollows in trees. The breeding pair need assistance from other birds in the group to successfully raise their chicks.
Above - They put their large bills to good use
Photo © Steven Herbert
Above - Portrait of a Southern Ground Hornbill
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 130Village Life Issue 23 - Author: - Published: 2007 - Page: 48
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 175
Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 28
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 117
Southern Africas Threatened Wildlife - Author: John Ledger - Published: 1990 - Page: 50
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 29
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 22
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 266
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 138
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 402
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 399
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 308
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 411
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 293
Questions and Answers - Endangered Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: John Comrie-Greig - Published: 1992 - Page: 10
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 262
Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 30
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 72
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 262
go! - Issue 130 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 27
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 110
Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 143
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 152
Country Life - Issue 266 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 60
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 63
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 45
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 78
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 154
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 58
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 140
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 171
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 105
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 98
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 105
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 185