Ground Hornbill Species Profile: Africa's Giant Walking Hornbill

The ground hornbill is a bird you notice from a long way off. It strides through the grass with a heavy, deliberate walk, carrying a massive down-curved bill, bare skin of red and blue on the face and throat, and long eyelashes. In flight, white wing tips flash from beneath the black body.

This profile is a deeper look at the two ground hornbills of East Africa. For the wider family, including forest and savanna species, see the hornbill species profile, and for general context read the Uganda birds species guide.

This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Two Species in East Africa

Two species of ground hornbill occur in East Africa, and they are distinguished mainly by range and by the colour of the bare skin. The Abyssinian ground hornbill is found in the northern savannas, including northern Uganda, northern Kenya and Ethiopia, and shows red and blue skin on the face and throat. The southern ground hornbill replaces it further south, in Kenya's coastal region, Tanzania and southwards, and has a red face and throat in the male with a violet-blue patch on the female. Both are black, with white primary feathers visible only when the wings are open. Their size and ground-walking habit make them easy to recognise.

Habitat and Range

Ground hornbills live in open woodland, savanna and grassland where there are scattered trees for roosting and nesting. They need large territories and spend the day on foot, walking many kilometres in search of food, returning to the trees at dusk. In Uganda the Abyssinian species is a highlight of Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley, while in Tanzania the southern species lives in places such as Tarangire and the Serengeti. In Kenya, Tsavo, the Mara and Meru all have groups.

Hunting and Diet

The bird is a patient, strong predator. It walks along in line with others, using its large bill to snatch or stab prey, including snakes, tortoises, frogs, lizards, rodents, squirrels, large insects and occasionally small mammals. It will attack venomous snakes with confidence, though it is not immune to their bites. Group members hunt in loose formation, which flushes prey. After a fire, the birds hunt along the burn edge. Food passing between group members is part of the social life.

Group Life and Voice

Ground hornbills live in cooperative groups, with a dominant breeding pair and helpers that are usually related. Helpers guard the territory, find food and bring it to the female and chick at the nest. At dawn the group utters a deep, booming call, a series of low notes that carries a long way and is sometimes mistaken for a distant lion. The birds also attack their own reflections, and have been known to fight windows and car mirrors, a behaviour that guides warn about when vehicles are parked.

Slow Breeding

Ground hornbills breed in tree cavities or similar holes, laying usually two eggs, although generally only one chick survives. The chick spends a long time in the nest and then depends on the group for many months after leaving it. Birds take several years to reach breeding age. As a result, a group may raise a chick only every few years, so the population cannot recover quickly from losses of adults. For the nesting habits of other hornbills, read the general hornbill profile.

Threats and Conservation

The southern ground hornbill is listed as vulnerable, and the Abyssinian species is considered less threatened globally but is in decline in parts of its range. Threats include habitat loss, poisoning, the loss of large nest trees, persecution because of superstition and illegal killing, and collisions with power lines. Conservation programmes in southern Africa have used artificial nests and hand-rearing to boost numbers, and community education is vital. Safaris contribute by supporting parks that safeguard large territories. See also responsible travel.

Photography and Related Species

Ground hornbills are easier to photograph than most large birds because they walk on open ground and often ignore vehicles. Wait in a good position and let the group come to you, aim for eye-level angles, and watch for the booming display at dawn. Compare with the secretary bird, another ground-hunting snake eater, and with the kori bustard. Use safari photography tips to plan your shots, or see the East Africa birding guide.

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