Animal Guide

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

24 destinations · 15 states

Native Range: Eastern Africa, especially Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and surrounding regions

The Abyssinian ground hornbill is hard to miss once it starts walking around. Unlike many hornbills that spend much of their time in trees, this large bird does much of its exploring on the ground, striding across open grassland with a slow, deliberate gait. Its black plumage, bright blue skin around the eyes and throat, and long red throat pouch give it a particularly distinctive look. Watch during feeding and you may see it snap up insects, small reptiles, or other prey from the ground before tossing food back into its bill. The throat pouch is especially fun to notice when the bird calls or interacts with another hornbill. Pairs and family groups can stay together while searching for food, and their low, booming calls can carry across wide areas in the wild. At a zoo or wildlife park, its size and unusual combination of colors often become more noticeable the longer you watch it move around its habitat.

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Where to see Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

24 destinations across 15 states

24 destinations

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