We recently spent some time in the Kruger National Park. Along going on a game drive, we came across a group of Southern Ground Hornbills. While a traffic jam of vehicles stopped for a pack of sleepy lions, just a short distance away we had also stopped, but it wasn’t for the lions. Many shots were fired, camera shots that is, and we watched these amazing birds in total awe of them.
These incredible birds inspired me to dedicate a blog post to them. Below are some Southern Ground Hornbill facts, as well as some of my Kruger photographs of them.
- The Southern Ground Hornbill is a very large bird; males can weigh up to 6kg’s and be over a meter tall.
- They have been estimated to live up to 60 years in the wild.
- They require a habitat with large trees for nesting in natural cavities and will on occasion nest in rock faces.
- They live in groups of 2 – 12 individuals, and are cooperative breeders, meaning that the dominant breeding pair has help from the other hornbills in the group to raise their young. These helpers are of various ages.
- They are carnivorous birds and will eat insects, reptiles, frog’s even small mammals and other birds. Ground hornbills barely drink water, as they get moisture from the food they eat.
- Ground Hornbills do have the ability to fly, however, they are seldom seen in flight as they fly low through the trees. They do not soar like other large birds.
- Due to massive loss of the the Southern Ground Hornbills specialised habitat, along with its exceedingly slow reproductive rate, it is sadly classed as "critically endangered" in Southern Africa.
Here are some of the photos I took in the Kruger:
This guy was probably the friendliest Ground Hornbill on the planet, he came right up to my friend’s window and gave my friend the fright of his life – from then on the Hornbills were named dinosaur birds. They totally do look like dinosaurs!
Having a good little scratch before moving on.
They also happen to have every girls dream eye lashes – super jealous!
What beautiful and absolutely fascinating creatures, I loved every minute of watching them.
If you are interested in donating towards the conservation of these incredible birds you can visit Mabula Ground Hornbill Project .
We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions please feel free to comment below or to email us.