A Story about South Africa”s Bird of 2020

I have some memories of my first ever visit to Kruger when I was just a little girl. But the standout memory is that of a Southern Ground Hornbill – mostly due to my mom’s friend miss-pronouncing the name. The Ground Hornbill has therefore been one of my favourite birds for a very long time.

I came across these 2 just outside Satara on my first afternoon.Southern Ground Hornbill  Southern Ground Hornbill  Southern Ground Hornbill

I had quite a few sightings of these birds throughout the trip. I hope it is a sign that their vulnerability status is less severe.Southern Ground HornbillSouthern Ground Hornbill

My favourite sighting was on my last morning at Kwaggapan. A family was digging around in a rhino midden.Southern Ground Hornbill

Southern Ground Hornbill  Southern Ground Hornbill

Another one joined them. They then started talking to each other. It was so cool to hear this.Southern Ground HornbillSouthern Ground Hornbill   Southern Ground Hornbill

I really loved seeing so many Ground Hornbills. They always add a special quality to my Kruger trips.Southern Ground Hornbill

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A Story about Noses

In Afrikaans the names for Hornbills all have the Afrikaans word for “nose” in them. I saw all 3 of the smaller Hornbill species in the Park.

Southern Yellow-billed HornbillSouthern Yellow billed Hornbill

Southern Red-billed HornbillSouthern Red billed Hornbill

African Grey HornbillAfrican Grey Hornbill

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