Bucorvus abyssinicus
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
A huge, mostly black, terrestrial hornbill with bare red (male) or blue-and-red (female) throat skin, long legs, and a massive black casqued bill. It walks in pairs or small parties across savanna, grassland and open woodland, hunting insects, small reptiles and rodents on the ground rather than flying to feed.
Identification
Unmistakable due to huge size (over a metre tall) and mostly ground-dwelling habit. Males have all-red throat skin; females show a blue patch bordered by red. Deep booming calls carry long distances at dawn.
Want to see the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill?
Join Yaya on a trip to one of the sites below, or ask about an itinerary built around it — he'll help you plan the best way to find it in the field.
Where to find it
Lower River Region
Kiang West is The Gambia's largest national park, spanning savanna woodland, tidal mudflats and mangrove creeks along the south bank of the Gambia River. It's renowned among birders for exceptional raptor diversity and is a stronghold for species rarely seen elsewhere in the country.
Tours that target this bird
A carefully paced 15-day tour from the Atlantic coast through the mangrove-lined River Gambia and into the eastern part of the country, balancing serious birding with rest, wildlife and Gambian culture. Around 300 species are possible depending on season.
View itineraryA fully guided private birding tour combining the best of coastal and inland Gambia with the forests, wetlands and wildlife-rich landscapes of Eastern Senegal, including Niokolo-Koba National Park. Designed for serious birders seeking Gambian specialities, Sahelian species, woodland birds and waterbirds, at a comfortable and enjoyable pace.
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A comprehensive birding, wildlife and nature tour combining the finest habitats of The Gambia with Northern Senegal's Saloum Delta — coastal wetlands, mangroves, woodland, rice fields, savannah and riverine forest, plus a boat excursion to the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar.
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