DAY 36- AFRICA BIRD WATCHING

Day #35 (6/2/2014) Southern Ground Hornbill

After taking a short traveling break to help establish the University of Ellie and Edmond. Whew- it is hard work starting up all these ways to learn about animals! We decided to finally hit the road on another adventure. We went on a quick jaunt to the African savanna to watch birds. We spotted a small family of these birds and loved them so much we had them as Guess the Animal yesterday! Come learn about these intelligent birds!

Their range/habitat: Southern-Eastern Africa/woodlands, savanna
Their length/weight: 102 cm/ 2.2- 6 kg” Conservation Status: vulnerable
Their diet: Carnivores– arthropods, lizards, snakes

• Southern Ground Hornbills are the largest hornbill species in the world.
• They have a red patch on their face and throat, female have a purple spot on their red throat.
• Southern ground hornbills spend most of their time on the ground.
• Southern ground hornbills have a low flute like call.
• They can live up to 60 years.
• Southern ground hornbills live in small groups.

We had an amazing day watching these birds walk around the savanna looking for prey to eat. Occasionally they spread their wings out to absorb the warmth of the sun. The best part is that there is lively pair living at our local zoo. When we start to reminisce about our trip today we can go visit that pair and pretend we’re here in Africa.
-Ellie and Edmond