Ground Hornbills

Ground hornbills form a distinct family, Bucorvidae, within the Bucerotiformes order, consisting of a sole genus, Bucorvus, and two living species, the Abyssinian ground hornbill and the southern ground hornbill, both native to sub-Saharan Africa. Distinguished by their large stature at about a meter in height, ground hornbills are unique among hornbills for their terrestrial lifestyle and meat-based diet, which includes a variety of prey from insects to small animals. They live long lives, with the southern species being particularly noted for its lengthy lifespan and infrequent breeding cycle, perhaps the longest of any bird. Taxonomically, the genus Bucorvus was first classified by René Lesson in 1830, and recent genetic studies suggest that these birds share a close relationship with other hornbills. Additionally, the fossil record reveals a prehistoric species, suggesting a wider historical distribution. Unlike other hornbills, ground hornbills lack the gular pouch and primarily consume animal prey rather than fruit. The two species are spread across different regions of Africa, with the Abyssinian species found from Mauritania to Ethiopia, and the southern species ranging from Angola to South Africa.