Southern Ground Hornbill

Description:

Often erroneously called Turkey Buzzards, they are the largest members of the hornbill family. Formerly far more widespread, they are now an endangered species, seldom seen outside conservation areas. There booming calls are often mistaken for roaring lions. They are also birds of great superstition in African culture. (http://www.sanparks.org/groups/birders/h...)

Habitat:

Southern ground hornbills can be found from northern Namibia and Angola to northern South Africa to Burundi and Kenya. They require a savanna habitat with large trees for nesting and dense but short grass for foraging. The southern ground hornbill is a vulnerable species, mainly confined to national reserves and national parks. They live in groups of 5 to 10 individuals including adults and juveniles. Often, neighbouring groups are engaged in aerial pursuits. They forage on the ground, where they feed on reptiles, frogs, snails, insects and mammals up to the size of hares. Southern ground hornbills very rarely drink: their range is limited at its western end by the lack of trees in which to build nests. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_g...)

Notes:

Spotted at Kruger National Park.