Bird · Resident
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
How to identify the Abyssinian ground hornbill
Black with white wing tips that show in flight, a long, heavy bill with a short open casque on top, and long eyelashes. The male has blue skin around the eye and a red throat pouch with blue at the top; the female's bare skin is entirely dark blue.
Where to see the Abyssinian ground hornbill in Murchison Falls National Park
In the open grassland of the northern bank, especially along the Buligi game tracks between the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile.
Habitat
Open savanna and dry grassland with scattered trees.
What the Abyssinian ground hornbill eats
Small animals found on the ground: tortoises, lizards, snakes, large insects and spiders, with some carrion, fruit and seeds.
Behaviour
It spends most of the day walking and takes to the air only when it must. The call is a deep booming, heard at dawn.
Best time to see the Abyssinian ground hornbill
All year. Resident, here all year.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Further reading: en.wikipedia.org. Photographs: Internet photo.
Questions about the Abyssinian ground hornbill
How do you tell a male from a female Abyssinian ground hornbill?
The male has a red inflatable throat pouch with blue on the upper throat and blue skin around the eye. The female is a little smaller and all her bare skin is dark blue.
The Abyssinian ground hornbill in our journal
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