Knysna Turaco
Tauraco corythaix
Forest. Folded wings and upper tail iridescent blue; rest of body green; wings red in flight.
Allies, Turacos
LC
Endemic
Description
Common, localised endemic resident. At rest recognised by its matt-green body and crested head with white markings. Upper tail and folded wings are an iridescent greenish blue; eye-rings and bill are red. Within southern Africa, two long-crested species are recognised [Livingstone’s Turaco] and [Schalow’s Turaco]). Sexes alike; immatures duller. The normal call is a slow ‘kerk-kerk-kerk-kawk-kawk-kawk-kawk’; a high-pitched ‘kek-kek-kek-kek’ alarm call is given as it flies away. Within its forest habitat, utters a hoarse ‘breathing’ sound ‘hurr… hurr’ when it detects the presence of human intruders. Usually occurs in pairs or family groups in montane mist-belt forests and evergreen forests in lowland and coastal regions.
Quick Facts
Size
47 cm - L
Names
A: Knysnaloerie
Z: iGwalagwaleliluhlaza
Ss: Kgologolo Ya Borwa
G: Helmturako
Bird Family
Fruit-eating Afrotropical forest or bushveld birds with crested heads, fairly long tails and an agile springing action when jumping along branches. Turacos have crimson primary feathers that are strikingly revealed in flight. The grey species, which lack red wing feathers, are now known as ‘Go-away-birds'.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Usually occurs in pairs or family groups in montane mist-belt forests and evergreen forests in lowland and coastal regions.
