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220px-Bucorvus leadbeateri -Philadelphia Zoo -upper body-8a-1-

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The Southern Ground-hornbill or cafer (Bucorvus leadbeateri), is one of two species of ground-hornbill and is the largest species of hornbill.

It is a large bird, at 90 to 129 cm (36 to 51 in) long and a weight of 2.2 to 6.2 kg (4.8 to 13.6 lbs), with the male considerably larger than the female. It is characterized by black coloration and vivid red patches of bare skin on the face and throat (yellow in juvenile birds). The white tips of the wings (primary feathers) seen in flight are another diagnostic characteristic. The beak is black and straight and presents a casque, more developed in males. Female Southern Ground-hornbills are smaller and have violet-blue skin on their throats.

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