Violaceous Turaco
(Violaceous Plantain-eater)
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Musophagidae
Genus: Musophaga
Species: violacea
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HABITAT AND RANGE:
This species of Turaco is found in West
Africa, ranging from Gambia to Nigeria
and Cameroon. |
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Violaceous turacos have a crimson crown
and a large patch of naked scarlet skin
around the eye with a very narrow black
line separating the crimson coloring.
The back of the neck down the back is
blackish with blue iridescence. The
underside of the throat and wings are a
glossy blue washed with violet and the
tail is blackish glossed with green. The
beak is scarlet, shading into yellow on
the helmet. The legs and feet are
greenish-black. This species is about
18-20 inches in length. The feathers are
short and hair-like and do not form a
crest, unlike other species. |
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ADAPTATIONS:
These Turacos have three toes in front
and one toe that is off to the side that
can be moved backwards and forwards. |
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DIET:
These Turacos mostly eat plants, fruits
and nuts. |
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REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Turacos are normally seen in pairs, not
in big groups or by themselves. Their
nests are flat and made out of twigs
high in the treetops. The normal clutch
size is 2 eggs. Both of the parents take
turns incubating the eggs for 20 days.
The hatchlings are normally covered in
thick, gray down feathers. |
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STATUS IN WILD:
They are common in their native areas. |
