Southern ground hornbill

This is a large bird, at long. Females weigh , while the larger males weigh . The average weight of eight females was whilst that of eight males was ; thus they average around 35% percent heavier than any Asian hornbill species. Wingspan is from . The wing chord is , the tail from , the tarsus from and the culmen from . Stevenson and Fanshawe report that the Abyssinian ground hornbill is the larger species on average, at , than the southern species, at , but published maximum weights and standard measurements indicate the southern species is slightly larger. Average weights are not known for the Abyssinian species. The southern ground hornbill is black with vivid red patches of bare skin on the face and throat (yellow in juvenile birds)—as well as being one of few birds with eyelashes—which are believed to keep dust out of the birds' eyes while they forage during the dry season. The white tips of the wings (primary feathers) seen in flight are another diagnostic characteristic. The beak is black and slightly curved and presents a casque, more developed in males. Female southern ground hornbills are smaller and have violet-blue skin on their throats. Juveniles to six years old lack the prominent red pouch, having a duller patch of grey in its place. ==Habitat and diet==

Southern ground hornbills can be found from northern Namibia and Angola to northern South Africa and southern Zimbabwe to Burundi and Kenya. They require a savanna habitat with large trees for nesting and dense but short grass for foraging. . The southern ground hornbill is a vulnerable species, mainly confined to national reserves and national parks. They live in groups of 5 to 10 individuals including adults and juveniles. Often, neighbouring groups engage in aerial pursuits. These birds are apex predator and thus ecologically important. They forage on the ground, where they feed on reptiles, frogs, snails, insects and mammals up to the size of hares. Southern ground hornbills rarely drink. Their range is limited at its western end by the lack of trees in which to build nests. Southern ground hornbill groups are very vocal: contact is made by calls in chorus which can usually be heard at distances of up to . The calls allow each group to maintain its territory, which must be as large as even in the best habitat. ==Breeding and life cycle==

The southern ground hornbill is an obligate cooperative breeder, with each breeding pair always assisted by at least two other birds. Experiments in captivity have found that birds without six years experience as helpers at the nest are unable to breed successfully if they do become breeders. This suggests that unaided pairs cannot rear young and that the skill gained in helping as a juvenile is essential for rearing young as an adult. In captivity, a maximum lifespan of 70 years is recorded, and it is generally believed that the life expectancy of a bird that survives long enough to fledge is as high as thirty years or more, which is comparable to that of more famously long-lived birds like the wandering albatross. Ground hornbills are believed to reach maturity at six to seven years, but very few breed at this age. ==Conservation==

The southern ground hornbill is classed as vulnerable to extinction globally; however, in South Africa, where most studies on the species have been carried out, it is listed as endangered. They have also been classified as endangered in Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. Southern ground hornbills in these countries, along with Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, require conservation interventions to help increase their numbers. Persecution and hunting of the southern ground hornbill by human populations have continued to be complex issues. Recent studies have found the species has been hunted more than previously believed, including in protected areas. The majority of this hunting has likely been opportunistic. Overall, hunting is likely not a key driver for their lowering numbers. Due to the encroachment of human populations, it is not unheard of to see a group's territory encompass a variety of areas, from pristine habitats to commercial agricultural lands. Rehabilitation projects, such the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project, have been hand-rearing these extra chicks with the goal of reintroducing them to the wild, zoo, 2009 ==In culture==

The southern ground hornbill's loud voice and large size have made it a focal point in many traditional African cultures. They have inspired a variety of cultural beliefs throughout many peoples that are within its broad historical range. However, the extent of these beliefs and whether they will persist into the future are uncertain, especially due to the modernization of Africa. Others in Zimbabwe believe it can bring misfortune and should not be approached. This has led to a range of reactions to the southern ground hornbill, from avoidance to killing. For example, the Taveta people have a cultural belief that killing a southern ground will bring a fatal illness upon anyone who does so. Associations with weather The southern ground hornbill is well known for its associations with rain, drought, lightning and general weather forecasts. These beliefs generally do not carry harmful consequences for southern ground hornbills, but killing, displacing, or otherwise using them to end or start rainy seasons has been reported. Those that claim to rely upon it for determining the weather have blamed climate change for confused predictions, claiming it affects the hornbill's ability to call out at the traditional time. Associations with altered perceptions Possibly influenced by the southern ground hornbill ability to spot and hunt small creatures within tall grass, it has been associated with the ability to alter human perceptions. Though traditional rituals, the bird can be called on to improve or change a human's ability to alter reality, create illusions, and expand awareness. In Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa the bird can be used in attempts to improve a human's ability to find food, creatures and even enemies. Furthermore, it's believed by some that the southern ground hornbill can be used to alter the perceptions of oneself. Thus, it has lent itself to be used in rituals to provide authority for leaders in certain cultures. Other cultural uses or beliefs include ridding one of bad or evil spirits, taking revenge on others or instigating fights, empowering a person, and causing dreams to become reality. ==Gallery==

Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) (14013856052).jpg|A foraging male Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) male (11451032976).jpg|Catching beetles in dung Bromvoël 2007.JPG|Foraging after a burn Bucorvus leadbeateri -Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa -juvenile-8.jpg|Juvenile bird with pale facial skin Juvenile Southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri), Kruger National Park, South Africa (28588027803).jpg|Head of an immature bird Southern Ground Hornbill on Termite Mound.jpg|Perched on a termite mound Southern ground hornbill landing (7913321272).jpg|Contrasting primary and secondary feathers seen upon landing Three Southern Ground Hornbills in Flight.jpg|A group taking flight == References ==