Guinea Turaco

Overview

The Guinea turaco, also known as the green turaco or green lourie, is a species of African otidimorph bird belonging to the turaco group. It is an IUCN Red List category Least Concern species characterised by its extensive range and stable population.

Identification

• Approximately 40–43 cm long with a weight of 225–290 g, featuring plumage that is largely brilliant green and blue.
• Dark purplish tail and wings contrasted with distinct crimson primary feathers visible in flight.
• Thick, red bill and an erectile semi-circular green crest on the head.
• Red and white eye patches, with a specific white line above and in front of the eye in the westernmost subspecies.
• A loud cawr-cawr call consisting of 10–16 raucous cawing notes.

Habitat

Inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland, gallery forests, and rainforest edges, often near cultivated areas. Its range spans West and Central Africa from Senegal to the DR Congo and south to northern Angola, typically at elevations from sea level to 1,100 m.

Diet

Feeds on a wide variety of wild and cultivated tropical fruits, including Musanga, Macaranga, Rauvolfia, Cissus, and Ficus species, as well as blossoms. Although they can fly, they prefer to climb from branch to branch to forage.

Did you know?

The vibrant green coloration of its plumage is derived from a pigment called turacoverdin. Unlike similar turacos with red bills, even adult Guinea turacos lack a white rear edge to the crest.