Abyssinian Ground Hornbill or Northern Hornbill
Bucorvus abyssinicus
WILD STATUS
Least Concern.
DISTRIBUTION
Southern Mauritania and Guinea, east to Ethiopia, N.W. Somalia, N.E. Kenya and Uganda.
SIZE
Weight 3.6-4.5kg (8-10 lbs).
HABITAT
Savannah and sub-desert scrub.
REPRODUCTION
1 to 2 eggs laid 3-5 days apart. Incubation is done by the female and takes 37-41 days. Hatchlings are fed in the nest by the male.
DIET
Mainly small mammals, lizards, amphibians, birds, tortoises, spiders and insects. Hornbills also eat carrion, fruit and seeds.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- Abyssinian Ground Hornbills are the second largest of the hornbill species.
- Eyelashes are unusually long to protect their eyes from sand, etc.
- They live up to 40 years.
- The horn or casque is composed of keratin, the same substance as our hair and fingernails. It functions to communicate age to other hornbills, helps to reinforce the beak and helps to resonate vocalizations.
- Birds can often be seen carrying various materials in their beaks. These are nest offerings.
- Protected as a totem bird in some areas.
- Hornbills are often killed and the mounted head is used as a hunting disguise in parts of Nigeria, Cameroon and Sudan.
- In Gambia, the local villagers will chase these birds as they are considered to bring bad luck if they are not seen in flight.
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
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