Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
Male at San Diego Zoo
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Coraciiformes
Family:	Bucerotidae
Subfamily:	Bucorvinae
Genus:	Bucorvus
Species:	B. abyssinicus
Binomial name
Bucorvus abyssinicus (Boddaert, 1783)

The Abyssinian Ground Hornbill or Northern Ground Hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus, is one of two species of ground hornbill. The other is the Southern Ground Hornbill.

The Abyssinian Ground Hornbill is an African bird, found north of the equator. Groups of ground hornbills have territories of 2-100 square miles. They are diurnal

In captivity, they can live 35–40 years. Diet in the wild consists of a wide variety of small vertebrates and invertebrates, including tortoises, lizards, spiders, beetles, and caterpillars; also takes carrion, some fruits, seeds, and groundnuts.

[edit]Description

A pair at Fort Worth Zoo

The species has long eyelashes as seen on this female identified by a blue throat pouch.

The Abyssinian Ground Hornbill weighs about three kilograms, and has long bare legs for walking. The male has a red throat pouch and the female has a blue throat pouch. Modified feathers form long eyelashes, which protect their eyes from dust.^[2]

[edit]References

1. ^ BirdLife International (2004). Bucorvus abyssinicus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
2. ^ "Abyssinian Ground Hornbill". The Sacramento Zoological Society.

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