Turacos, also known as touraco, are a family of birds belonging to the order Musophagiformes. They are native to sub-Saharan Africa and can be found in forests, woodlands and savannas. Turacos are medium-sized birds with long tails, short round wings and short bills. Their length varies between 16 and 30 inches.
Physical Traits
Turacos have brightly colored feathers that range from green to blue to red. The most common color is green but they can also be yellow or orange depending on the species. They have large eyes and a crest on their heads. The males usually have brighter colors than the females.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a turaco is around 10 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.
Habitat
Turacos live in forests, woodlands and savannas across sub-Saharan Africa. They prefer areas with plenty of trees for them to perch on during the day and hunt for food at night. They make their nests high up in trees where they can stay safe from predators.
Diet
Turacos are mainly fruit eaters but they will also eat insects, small reptiles and other small animals when available. They feed mainly on fruits such as grapes, apples, figs, bananas and berries as well as some vegetables like sweet potatoes or squash.
Reproduction
Turacos mate for life and typically lay two eggs at a time which hatch after about three weeks of incubation by both parents. The chicks stay with their parents until they reach maturity at around one year old when they will leave to find their own territory.
Conservation Status
Turacos are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to their wide range across sub-Saharan Africa and stable population numbers over recent years despite some localized threats such as habitat destruction or hunting for food or sport in some areas.
Interesting Facts
- Turacos are able to glide between trees using air currents due to their large wingspan which can reach up to 3 feet!
- Turacos have been observed using tools such as sticks or stones to open hard shells so that they can get access to the food inside!
- Turacos are very social birds who often flock together in groups of up to 20 individuals!
