Fascinating Birds: The Attractive and Colorful Turacos of Africa
Published by The only birds that own true red and green color and mobile outer toes, capable of rotating forward or backward! Meet the attractive and colorful turacos of Africa.
Meet another set of fascinating birds – the attractive and colorful turacos of Africa. They are the only birds that own true red and green color! Aside from their distinctive “g’way” call, turacos proud themselves by having beautiful crests, red feathers on the underside of their wings and mobile outer toes, capable of rotating forward or backward. Isn’t these birds fascinating? Read on to learn more about them.
The White-cheeked Turaco
The White-cheeked Turaco (Tauraco leucotis) distribution range covers South East Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan. It prefers humid evergreen forests at elevations from 2200 to 3200 meters. Citing have also been observed below 850 meters. A medium-sized bird, it measures 43 cm (17 in) long, with a tail reaching 19 cm (7.5 in) in length and weighs 200–315 g (7.1–11.1 oz). Known for its dynamic behavior and colorful appearance, white-cheek Turaco sports a striking, blue-green crested head, with white patches in front of eye and side of neck. Overall plumage is green, with deep greenish-blue wings and tail. It has red eye rings and a bright orange-red beak. Its diet includes fruits, berries, insects and occasionally small lizards.
The Ruspoli’s Turaco
The Ruspoli’s Turaco (Tauraco ruspolii), also called as Prince Ruspoli’s, is another very attractive species of turaco widespread in subtropical or tropical dry forests of southern Ethiopia. One of the world’s rarest birds, the species exhibit a colorful plumage. The head, neck, and breast are moss-green in color. It has a distinctive grayish-white crest, crimson-colored bill, and a prominent long tail. Furthermore, the chin and throat is grayish-green; dark bluish-gray wings and tail; yellowish-green cheeks and ear covers; and blackish belly and thighs.
The Knysna Turaco
The Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix), also called Knysna Lourie in South Africa, is a large turaco, endemic to South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland. The species prefers mature evergreen forests from sea level to 1800m. Adults measure between 40–42 cm long, from beak to tail and weigh between 260-380g. Generally, this unmistakable bird comes with mainly green plumage. Its distinctive feature is the white tip on its rounded green crest. Eyes are brown in color with deep-red eye-ring. It has a short, sharply curved orange-red beak. A colorful and attractive bird, it feeds on earthworms, insects and fruits.
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On September 7, 2012 at 2:52 pm
wonderful article and beautiful pictures as always
On September 7, 2012 at 5:24 pm
They really wonderful, beautiful. I wish I could see them.
On September 7, 2012 at 5:28 pm
lovely birds…
On September 7, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Oh how amazing it would be to see one of these beauties in the wild. Amazing.
On September 7, 2012 at 6:22 pm
They sometimes sell these beautiful birds in pet stores where I live, I actually prefer them to parrots.
On September 7, 2012 at 6:45 pm
these birds look so strange, but they are colorful and interesting.
On September 7, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Well written, thank you. And thank you for your support.
On September 7, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Most fascinating. What colors! Really lovely.
On September 7, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Very beautiful birds
On September 7, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Beautiful birds. Some have rare colors.
On September 7, 2012 at 11:53 pm
beautiful, awesome, intresting
On September 8, 2012 at 4:52 am
A very well written article…..enjoyed reading it.
On September 8, 2012 at 10:46 am
Wow great information and lovely pictures on these terrific birds
On September 9, 2012 at 4:02 am
They’re beautiful.
On September 9, 2012 at 4:02 am
been gone lately and its nice to read your articles again. very educational post as always.
On September 9, 2012 at 11:59 am
I would love to see these birds in real life, amazing.
On September 9, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Great work kabayan! I love your bird description and color attachments. kumusta ka na?
On September 10, 2012 at 2:43 am
Thank you all guys. I do have limited time here, so bear with me if I only put comments on those who’ve done one for me.
On September 10, 2012 at 6:04 am
They are the beauties of the African jungle!
On September 10, 2012 at 6:52 am
wonderful article and beautiful pictures as always.
On September 10, 2012 at 9:25 am
Beautiful pictures and amazing share.
On September 10, 2012 at 10:40 pm
I love those colorful birds. they’re amazing.
On September 11, 2012 at 1:25 am
Wonderful post.
On September 11, 2012 at 6:04 am
What a wonderful and interesting article
.Great work and enjoy your day.
Eddy.
On September 13, 2012 at 2:24 am
Birds rally fascinate me.
The Purple Crested & The Great blue Turaco look so beautiful with so many colors-Green,Orange, blue,violet, red and so on. Nature in all its splendour.
On October 9, 2012 at 5:59 am
Very informative posting
On November 19, 2012 at 10:09 pm
They are handsome birds