Let us introduce our smart dressers!
Photo by Tomo Akiyama Wildlife Japan
Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeloa cristata)
Adult has a red-tipped yellow bill and obvious black crest.
Immature has duller and small crest.
Great Blue does not have the red wings of other turaco.
Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeloa cristata)
Adult has a red-tipped yellow bill and obvious black crest.
Immature has duller and small crest.
Great Blue does not have the red wings of other turaco.
Ross Turaco (Musophaga Rossae),
with a bulbous bright yellow bill, yellow eye patches,
and brilliant crimson crest and outer wings.
with a bulbous bright yellow bill, yellow eye patches,
and brilliant crimson crest and outer wings.
Startling crimson-red primary feathers,
which can easily be seen in flight.
which can easily be seen in flight.
| What is so special about feather colors of Turacos?? | Most "greens" in bird colors result from a yellow pigment such as some carotenoid, combined with the prismatic physical structure of the feather itself which scatters the light in a particular way and giving a blue color. On the other hand, the green color in Turacos comes from turacoverdin, the only true green pigment in birds known to date. Turaco wings contain the red pigment turacin, unlike in other birds where red colour is due to carotenoids. The red and blue colors of Turaco's feather originally developed their pigments. That is unique about this bird! | ||||
Where can I find Greate Blue Turaco
in Uganda?
They are found in western and central part of Africa. In Uganda, they live in central and southern part. Pairs and small parties are locally common in good forest, relict forest patches, secondary growth and well-treed farmland near by, from 700m-2500m.
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Turacos are medium-sized arboreal birds leaving in forests, woodland and savanna. They are related to plantain eaters and go-away birds.Having lead a few birding trips and birding running in my blood, I have to learn much about the game and these birds in south Africa called Louries.
They build large stick nests in trees where they tend to lay 2 to 3 eggs.
They are brightly colored birds, in green, purple but mostly green.
Many turacos have startling crimson-red primary feathers, which can easily be seen in flight. They are very vocal, and their loud, resonant calls are one of the most characteristic sounds of the African rain forests. They generally have harsh calls, with croaks and barks being the most apt vocal description for most turacos.
Food for thought, Turacos are said to have two copper pigments in their feathers that have not been found in any other animal.
The green color comes from turacoverdin - the only true green pigment in birds. Other "greens" in bird colors result from a yellow pigment such as lypochrome combined with the prismatic blue physical structure of the feather itself. The wings of many turacos contain red, cooper-containing pigment turacin in addition to the aforementioned green pigment called turcoverdin. These pigments are unique to this group.
Turacos feed mainly on fruits and to a lesser extent on leaves, buds, and flowers, occasionally taking small insects, snails and slugs. They are important seed dispersers for indigenous trees, and sometimes travel long distances to feed in a favourite tree.
Written and read by Johnnie Kamgisha, a bird guide of Birding in Paradise.
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