Britannica AI Icon

ground hornbill

bird
Also known as: Bucorvus

Quick Summary

The ground hornbill is an African bird belonging to the genus Bucorvus. These birds are partly terrestrial in their habits. Hornbills, in general, are Old World tropical birds known for their large heads, thin necks, broad wings, and long tails. Their plumage is typically brown or black with white markings.12

While many hornbills nest in tree cavities, ground hornbills are unique in their terrestrial lifestyle. They are part of the order Coraciiformes, which includes a diverse range of birds with varied feeding behaviors, from aerial hunters to those that forage on the ground. Some hornbill species exhibit social organization when foraging, with multiple individuals cooperating to find food.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.