WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY - Amsterdam

Now this is a challenge for you on WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.  These images were photographed at the Artis Royal Zoo in Amsterdam and firstly I am showing you an eye of the bird!  

Anyone recognise it?

OK here is a bit more of it.

Got it yet? 

Last chance.

Surely some of you have it now?

It is a Southern Ground Hornbill. 

This is a large bird, 35.4 to 50.8 in long. Females weigh 4.9 to 10.1 lb, while the larger males weigh 7.7 to 13.7 lb.  Among standard measurements, the wing chord has been measured from 19.5 to 24.3 in, the tail from 11 to 14 in, the tarsus from 5.1 to 6.1 in and the culmen from 6.6 to 8.7 in.

The Southern Ground Hornbill is characterized by black coloration and vivid red patches of bare skin on the face and throat (yellow in juvenile birds), 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 (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. Juveniles to six years old lack the prominent red pouch, but have a duller patch of grey in its place.  

I have been fortunate to see this bird in the wild in Kruger National Park but obviously did not have as good views of it but someday I will show you those photographs.

Many thanks for visiting and also for leaving comments.