The red-crested turaco (Tauraco erythrolophus) is a turaco, a group of African otidimorph 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 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Musophagiformes |
| Family: | Musophagidae |
| Genus: | Tauraco |
| Species: | T. erythrolophus
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| Binomial name | |
| Tauraco erythrolophus (Vieillot, 1819)
| |
Description
editThe 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]
Behaviour
editThey 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] Their diet consists of insects, fruits, nuts, leaves, flowers, seeds, acacia, and figs. They are even able to eat berries that are poisonous to humans.[3]
Voice
editA deep barking call. the female's call is slightly higher-pitched than the male's. They are highly vocal, particularly at dawn.[2]
Reproduction
editRed-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
editThe red-crested turaco is the national bird of Angola. It occurs quite commonly along the length of the Angolan escarpment and adjacent forested habitats.[4]
In media
editA red-crested turaco was featured in 1998's The Parent Trap, as the bird pecking Meredith's chest shortly before she wakes up to discover Annie and Hallie have floated her camping mattress onto a lake. This scene of the film is set in Northern California, so the choice of this bird species is distinctly out of place.
Gallery
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At San Diego Zoo, U.S. -
At Weltvogelpark Walsrode, Germany -
At Pombia Safari Park, Italy -
At Brevard Zoo, Florida -
At Zoo Leipzig, Germany.
References
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- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Tauraco erythrolophus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22688346A93193784. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22688346A93193784.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Red-crested Turaco". www.oiseaux-birds.com. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
- ^ "Red-Crested Turaco".
- ^ "Birds Angola - National Bird". www.birdsangola.org. Retrieved 2017-07-11.