The White-crested Turaco: A Beautiful and Colorful Bird of Africa

The white-crested turaco (Tauraco leucolophus) is a species of bird in the family Musophagidae, a group of African near-passerines. It is the only species placed in the genus Tauraco. It is native to riverine forest and woodland in a belt between eastern Nigeria and western Kenya, but it has also been introduced to other areas, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Uruguay. The white-crested turaco is a striking and colorful bird, with a white crest, cheeks, neck and throat, a deep blue body, and black wings with yellow patches. It also shows large crimson wing patches in flight, like all turacos. It is about 20-23 cm long and weighs about 38-52 g3.

The white-crested turaco has a varied diet, consisting mainly of fruits, especially figs, but also eats flowers and insects. It often forages in flocks, hanging upside down from the branches to reach the food. It is not very vocal, but it has a pleasant and melodious song, composed of trills, whistles, and twitters. It also has a distinctive call, sounding like “tswit-tswit” or “ti-ti-ti”.

The white-crested turaco breeds from April to July, depending on the region. It builds a cup-shaped nest in a tree or a shrub, using grass, moss, lichen, and feathers. It lays four to six eggs, which are pale blue with reddish-brown spots. The female incubates the eggs for about 12 days, while the male feeds her. The chicks are fed by both parents, and fledge after about 15 days.

The white-crested turaco has a special place in the culture and folklore of some regions where it lives. In India, it is considered a sacred bird by some tribes, who believe that it brings good luck and prosperity. It is also associated with the legend of St. Francis of Assisi, who is said to have removed a thorn from a goldfinch’s head, causing it to bleed and stain its face red.

The white-crested turaco is a remarkable bird that deserves our attention and admiration. It is a symbol of nature’s diversity and beauty, and a source of inspiration and joy for many people. We hope that this article has given you some interesting information and insights about this amazing bird.