Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Standing about a metre tall, this is one of the largest hornbills, and it lives on the ground across the belt of dry country just south of the Sahara, from Senegal to Ethiopia. Pairs and small family parties walk steadily through the grass for most of the day, flying well but seldom.

• Abyssinian Ground Hornbills are closely tied to savannas, grasslands, and open woodland.
• Their food is mainly insects, reptiles, small mammals, birds, and carrion.
• Major pressures include large carnivores, raptors for chicks, and habitat loss.
• Long, stiff eyelashes shield its eyes from dust and grit while it feeds on the ground.
• Birds have been seen following grazing herds and the edges of grass fires to catch the small animals that are flushed out.

Active from soon after sunrise, it rests in shade through the hottest part of the day. At dusk the birds fly up to roost in trees.

Habitat: dry savannah, thorn scrub, and open woodland

Native range: Northern Sub-Saharan Africa

They feed on insects, reptiles, small mammals, birds, and carrion.

Active from soon after sunrise, it rests in shade through the hottest part of the day. At dusk the birds fly up to roost in trees.

Wild lifespan has not been measured. Zoo birds have lived about 35 to 40 years.

One or two eggs are laid in a hole in a large tree such as a baobab, or among rocks, and the female incubates for about five to six weeks while the male brings her food. She is not walled into the nest. When two chicks hatch, the younger usually dies within days.

Males have blue and red throat skin; females more blue.

Rarity: Uncommon · 64/100. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill is never easy to find and becomes less secure when dry savannah, thorn scrub, and open woodland is reduced or broken apart.

• Keep distance and let the animal choose the space.
• Avoid blocking movement routes, nesting areas, or feeding behavior.
• Use optics, patience, and quiet observation instead of crowding for a closer view.