The southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is one of the most fascinating birds in Africa and one of the prize sightings in the conservation areas where they occur. They are conspicuous for their size, striking black plumage and red wattles, and valued for their role in cultural rituals and practices in many local cultures. The bird is an apex predator and with the exception of martial eagles, leopards and crocodiles, has few enemies. Their presence is an indicator of the health status of the savannah biome in which they usually occur.
In South Africa ground hornbills are known by a number of names: bromvoël (Afrikaans); intsikizi (Xhosa); ingududu/iNsingizi (Zulu); nghututu (Tsonga); dandila (Venda); mahutuhutu (Sepedi); and lehututu (Setswana).