Mapping Southern Ground Hornbill Distribution in South Africa

 

The Mabula Ground Hornbill Project in collaboration with AfriGIS and Natural World has been mapping all the sightings of Southern Ground Hornbills (SGH) that have been captured on our database.  These records vary from sightings sent in by the public over the last 10 years to records of specimens collected in South Africa dating back to the 1800’s. These sightings will be used to determine and compare the present and historic distributions of the species. With the aid of GIS mapping technology this distribution will be analysed in order to determine areas of core SGH distribution, threats that are facing the species as well as habitat requirements as an aid to further empower conservation decisions in South Africa.

 

 

Collecting Sightings of SGH Juveniles

In order to better understand the population dynamics and productivity of the species it is important to determine which groups are breeding and where. Because males and females are difficult to distinguish in the wild and nests are extremely difficult to find, juveniles are a good indicator of breeding groups. We appeal to all who have sightings of SGH to try to determine whether juveniles are present in groups as well as to record a location (GPS if possible, otherwise an accurate description of where the sighting took place) as well as the numbers of birds in the group. Juveniles have a pale cream facial skin compared to the bright red of adults. Comprehensive ID kits are available from the project on request at project@ground-hornbill.org.za or visit the website at www.mabulagroundhornbillconservationproject.org.za

 

                                                                              

                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                              

  

                                                                                                                                                                    Male SGH

                                                                                                                                                      

 

 

                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                          Female SGH

      

 

                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                          Juvenile SGH