Protecting the king of the hornbills

It is estimated that the southern ground hornbill’s original range in South Africa has decreased by two-thirds over the past century. Mike Burgess looks at the threats facing this iconic hornbill species and what is being done to halt its decline, including custodianship programmes that motivate landowners to protect it.

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The majestic 1m-tall southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is much larger than any other hornbill species found in South Africa. It spends most of its time marching through veld in search of prey, including a wide variety of invertebrates like grasshoppers, scorpions and termites, and vertebrates like snakes, amphibians, and even hares and mongooses.

Although currently classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as ‘endangered’ in South Africa, it is believed that due to decreasing numbers, the southern ground hornbill (SGH) will soon be listed as ‘critically endangered’.

A UNIQUE BIRD

Groups of up to 12 SGHs operate in territories as large as 250km2. Many African communities believe that the bird’s call signals approaching rain.

The substantial red wattles of SGH males help create the distinct booming territorial calls that, during the breeding season, double as an acoustic tool to attract females.

SGHs practise a co-operative breeding strategy that sees only one monogamous pair of SGHs breed, with the rest of the group consisting predominantly of male birds of varying ages who help feed, nurture, and protect chicks and fledglings.