Updated 20 October 2026

Ground hornbill Uganda is the largest hornbill in Africa and one of the most distinctive birds in the savannah, the turkey-sized black bird with crimson facial skin walking purposefully through long grass in search of prey. Uganda has both species of ground hornbill, turkey-sized black birds that walk through savannah grassland hunting insects, reptiles and small animals. The Abyssinian ground hornbill, with a blue and red throat patch and a casque on its bill, lives in the north, including Murchison Falls and Kidepo. The southern ground hornbill, with a red face and throat, occurs in the south-west, such as Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth, and is listed as Vulnerable.

Ground Hornbill Uganda: The Turkey-Sized Bird Facts and Guide

Appearance and behaviour

Ground hornbills stand about a metre tall, with mostly black plumage that shows white wing feathers in flight, and long eyelashes. They spend the day walking slowly in pairs or family groups, catching prey with their powerful bills, and they fly up into trees to roost. Southern ground hornbills live in cooperative groups where helpers assist the breeding pair, and their deep booming calls carry several kilometres at dawn.

Slow breeding and threats

Ground hornbills breed slowly, usually raising one chick every few years in large tree cavities, so populations recover slowly from losses. Habitat loss, the felling of large nest trees and persecution, sometimes linked to beliefs about the birds, are the main threats. Protected savannah parks are increasingly important for them. See our guide to forest hornbills.

Where to see them

Look for Abyssinian ground hornbills on game drives north of the Nile in Murchison Falls and in Kidepo’s Narus Valley, and southern ground hornbills in Lake Mburo and parts of Queen Elizabeth. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to Murchison Falls, Kidepo and Uganda birding.

Frequently asked questions