IMG_107 - Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus Leadbeateri, Kruger National Park, South Africa Stock Photography

Southern Ground Hornbill Burorcvus leadbeateri captured on the road between Phalaborwa abd Letaba Restcamp, Kruger National Park, South Africa captured on 30.08.18 captured on 21.11.20. Unmistakable resemlling a large black turkey, the sexes looks similar, ` characterized by black coloration and vivid red patches of bare skin on the face and throat yellow in juvenile birds.The beak is black and straight 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 , but have a duller patch of grey in its place. classed as vulnerable to extinction globally, but in South Africa, Lesotha, Swaziland and Namibia it is listed as endangered. Usually breed in deep hollows of trees. Normally only breed successfully once in every 3 years. They feed on reptiles, frogs, snails, insects and mammals up to the size of hares.Southern ground hornbills very rarely drink. INFO: www.wikipedia.org