Latin Name:
Bucorvus abyssinicus
Status:
Least Concern
Food:
Small animals including rodents, birds and lizards but also some fruit.
Distribution:
North and Central Africa
Ground Hornbill
Our hornbills are the northern or Abyssinian species.
The female is called Angel, she was bred at Paignton Zoo in Devon. Pierre came from Zoo Parc de Beauval in France, to join her.
These birds have a prehistoric appearance, and remarkably long eyelashes. They are mainly carnivorous, catching and eating many small animals including rodents, birds and lizards but also some fruit.
They have bony ‘casques’ on their heads and bare skin around their eyes and neck – Pierre has red and blue, Angel just blue. They are vocal birds which make deep, booming calls.
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