240. The Southern Ground Hornbill

The Southern Ground Hornbill or cafer (Bucorvus leadbeateri), is one of two species of ground hornbill and is the largest species of hornbill. It is a large bird, at 90 to 129 cm long. Females weigh 2.2 to 4.6 kg, while the larger males weigh 3.5 to 6.2 kg. It is characterized by black coloration and vivid red patches of bare skin on the face and throat (yellow in juvenile birds). The white tips of the wings (primary feathers) seen in flight are another diagnostic characteristic. The beak is black and straight and presents a casque, more developed in males. Female Southern Ground Hornbills are smaller and have violet-blue skin on their throats. It can be found from northern Namibia and Angola to northern South Africa to Burundi and Kenya.

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