Rainforest Birds- White-Crested Turaco

Bird Name:

White-crested Turaco

Latin Name:

Tauraco leucolophus

Status:

Least Concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Musophagidae
Genus: Tauraco
Species: T. leucolophus

General Information:

The White-crested Turaco is an African bird. It has a unique quality of having true pigment coloration. The bright colors of most birds are due to refraction of light by their feather structures. When mixed with water, Turacos feathers will actually dye the water. This pigmentation also allows them to maintain their color year round.

Physical Description:

White-crested Turacos are about 15 to 18 inches in length. They are colorful, long-tailed birds which are green and blue in color with crimson primary feathers that show well in flight. They have white crest, chin, neck, and nape. The sexes are similar.

Diet:

This species feeds on fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, and occasionally invertebrates.

Habitat:

White-crested Turacos have a large African range and are considered common. They are residents from southeast Nigeria to northern Uganda, southwest Sudan and west Kenya. Their habitat occurs in evergreen forests and wooded valleys as well as dry scrub area. They nest in trees, where they can build a platform of twigs.

Reproduction:

The Turaco is monogamous. The clutch is 2 to 3 white eggs. Incubation lasts 21 to 24 days and the young fledge after only 10 to 12 days. Both parents contribute to incubation, brooding and feeding.

Chicks are fed primarily on fruit. The young leave nest before they can fly and will climb on the tree. Turacos have strong wing claws to enable this habit.