Southern ground-hornbill

Description

It is the largest hornbill. Its plumage is black with white primary feathers, which are only seen when it flies. The male, larger, has a red colour on the face and neck, while the throat of the female is blue. It has a long, strong, curved beak. Its feet are robust and black in colour.

Ethology

It is a social bird which lives in groups of 5 to 10 members, formed by a reproductive couple and 5 to 8 assistants. They lay two eggs, generally in tree holes. The incubation period is 40 days. Normally only one survives. They have a slow reproduction rate as it is estimated that a family raises one young bird every nine years. They have a live expectancy of 60 years.

Interesting facts

Populations of this species are reducing, mainly due to habitat destruction as forests are burning to create farming areas. Other important causes are collisions with electrical lines and overgrazing. These threats are aggravated by the slow reproduction and maturity rate, and due to the social structure of the species.