Red-crested turaco

The red-crested turaco (Tauraco erythrolophus) is a turaco, a group of African Otidimorphae birds. It is a frugivorous bird endemic to western Angola. Its call sounds somewhat like a jungle monkey.

Red-crested turaco
Red-crested turaco, Niagara Falls Aviary, Canada
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Musophagiformes
Family: Musophagidae
Genus: Tauraco
Species:
T. erythrolophus
Binomial name
Tauraco erythrolophus
(Vieillot, 1819)

Description

The red-crested turaco weighs 210-325 g and is 45-50 cm long. It looks similar to the Bannerman's turaco, but differs in crest and face colors. Both sexes are similar.[2]

Behavior

They are seen in flocks of up to 30 birds, or in pairs. They usually remain in trees, only coming down to eat or drink.[2]

Voice

A deep barking call. the female's call is slightly higher-pitched than the male's. They are highly vocal, particularly at dawn.[2]

Reproduction

Red-crested turacos are monogamous. Both mates build a flimsy nest 5 to 20 meters above the ground in dense foliage. After laying eggs, both birds incubate the eggs. The young leave the nest at 4-5 weeks old.[2]

As a national bird

The red-crested turaco is the national bird of Angola. It occurs quite commonly along the length of the Angolan escarpment and adjacent forested habitats.[3]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Tauraco erythrolophus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Red-crested Turaco". www.oiseaux-birds.com. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  3. "Birds Angola - National Bird". www.birdsangola.org. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
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