Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores - Ground Hornbill

Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores
Ground Hornbill
Page 27

Burcorvus cafer

Length: 105 cm (41")

Status: Common

Habitat: Ground hornbills are found in open woodlands, grasslands and savannas below 3 000 meters (9,840 feet) in altitude.

Food: Ground hornbills eat rodents, hares, snakes, lizards, toads, snails and insects. They will work the edges of grassfires feeding on fleeing and burned animals.

Ground hornbills are often seen feeding around herds of topi, wildebeest and zebra.

Social System/Behavior: One adult pair of ground hornbills may be assisted in defending a huge territory by up to six immature birds. These other birds also assist with nesting and raising young. Any adult males in the group will "courtship feed" the dominant female but only the dominant male mates with her.

She lays one or two eggs in a nest lined with a bed of leaves. The nest may be in a tree hole, earthen bank or rock face. This species is large enough to defend its nest and therefore the female is not sealed in.

Other adult females may share the incubation period, allowing the dominant female to go and feed. Incubation lasts 40 days.

When courting, the pair makes a sound that is much like a lion's roar. This call is given in a duet while the pair is in flight.

Predators: Martial eagles and other large predators are the main threats to these birds.

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