Southern ground hornbills are restricted to sub-Saharan Africa and are non-migratory, meaning they will remain in the same habitat all year long! Hornbills are ground dwelling birds and are rarely arboreal, inhabiting dry climates in the savannas and grasslands of central Africa. These habitats experience a wet and a dry season and will directly affect the hornbills’ feeding behaviors and activity levels, as well as influence reproduction of this species.

Mating occurs seasonally for Southern ground hornbills but does not occur every year. They live in social groups of 2 to 8 birds. Attraction is based on size of the bird, and only one dominant pair breeds (the largest male and female). Nesting for the female is usually in a cavity of a tree or cliff, which she will spend most of her time in. Eggs will hatch roughly 37 to 43 days after breeding.

They reach sexual maturity at about 3 years old. Males will develop completely red facial skin while females will become violet blue below the bill, to indicate sexual maturity.

Fun Facts

Very little is known about Southern ground hornbills in the wild, however in captivity, they have been reported to live up to 70 years.