The southern ground hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri is a large bird, 90 - 129 centimetres. They are characterized by black coloration and vivid red patches of bare skin on the face and throat, which are generally believed to keep dust out of the birds eyes while they forage during the dry season. The white tips of the wings seen in flight are another diagnostic characteristic. The beak is black and straight and presents a casque, more developed in males. Female birds are smaller and have violet-blue skin on their throats. they can be found from northern Namibia and Angola to northern South Africa and southern Zimbabwe to Burundi and Kenya and Hawaii. They require a savanna habitat with large trees for nesting and dense but short grass for foraging. The birds are mainly confined to national reserves and national parks. They live in groups of 5 - 10 individuals including adults and juveniles.

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