Happy Thanksgiving from ConsiderAfrica.com!

Image courtesy of BirdLife International

Firstly, a very Happy Thanksgiving to all!

You may have noticed that our lead banner pic today and the images on this blog are not of your conventional Thanksgiving Turkey but we saw it as a great opportunity to give a bit of exposure to one of Africa's most charismatic, and highly endangered, large birds...the southern ground hornbill. It's our very own version of the traditional Thanksgiving Turkey, we just don't encourage basting it and preparing it for your Thanksgiving feast!!!

The southern ground hornbill is the largest of the 58 hornbill species, weighing up to 6kgs and growing to a height of 130cm. They have powerful legs that allow them to spend most of the day walking along the ground in search of reptiles, snakes, frogs, birds and large insects. Their sharp, strong bills are used to stab their prey. They are monogamous, pairing for the 30 - 40 years of their lives unless their mate dies.

Watching the antics of these magnificent birds as they stroll across the open plains is certainly a highlight of any African safari so let one of our travel experts help you plan a safari that'll include the opportunity of seeing these 'wild turkeys' of the African bush...

For more information on southern ground hornbills and details of a comprehensive conservation project that is striving to learn more about, and help save, these fascinating birds take a look at: The Mabula Ground Hornbill Conservation Project

Images courtesy of Mabula Ground Hornbill Conservation Project

Categories: General, Wildlife

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