Coraciiformes TAG

Coraciiformes Taxon Advisory Group -

Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
SSP Manager: Roger Sweeney - Virginia Zoo

The adult male has black plumage with the exception of white primaries. The bill is black with a low-ridged casque at the base. The eyes are yellow, while the legs and feet are black. Bare skin surrounding the eyes and on the throat is red. Prior to molting, the body feathers appear sooty brown due to deteriorating condition. Body size is approximately 90-100cm in height with weights typically ranging from 3.4 - 6.1 kg.

The plumage of the adult female is similar to that of the adult male with the exception of a violet-blue patch on the front of the throat and down the sides of the neck. The female is also slightly smaller than the male. Height is slightly less than that of the male and body weight ranges from 2.2 - 4.6 kg.



Rwanda, Burundi, Southern Kenya, north to Eldoret and Turkwell, Southeast Zaire, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Northern Namibia, North and Eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, North and Eastern South Africa.


Southern ground hornbills are found south of the equator in African savannahs. They are common in woodlands, savanna, and grasslands but avoid heavily forested areas.






Southern Ground Hornbill Gallery

Southern Ground Hornbill Bibliography