Bird
Red-crested Turaco
Tauraco erythrolophusAlso known as Angola Turaco, Angolan Red-crested Turaco
Red-crested turacos flash brilliant crimson underwings as they leap effortlessly between branches in the high canopy of western Angola. Their unique plumage contains true green and red pigments called turacoverdin and turacin, which are copper-based compounds rare among birds. Groups communicate with loud, monkey-like croaking calls that resonate across the forest, announcing fruit harvests to nearby flocks.
FrugivoreArborealVibrant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyWild figs, Berries, Flower buds
Predators
- Goshawks
- Genets
- Snakes
ThreatsHabitat loss, forest fragmentation, and localized trapping for pet trade
HabitatsDense tropical forest, woodland canopy, and gallery forest
Life span10–15 years in the wild
Classification
- OrderMusophagiformes
- FamilyMusophagidae
- GenusTauraco
- SpeciesTauraco erythrolophus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listen for calls: Listen for loud monkey-like croaks resounding through the dense upper canopy.
- Scan fruiting trees: Look for sudden flashes of red underwings near fruiting fig trees.
- Stay patient: Allow birds time to move into view rather than trying to follow them through brush.
Close Relative (c) TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋), some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Shaun Swanepoel, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) John Puddephatt, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Ed Schipul from Houston, TX, US / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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