Banana-eater bird, Guinea turaco or Green turaco is a bright representative of the African ecosystem. They are common in the lowland and floodplain forests of West Africa. They are also called the African Cuckoo or the Tropical Cuckoo. Cuckoos are indeed the closest relatives of turacos. Turaco spends most of its life in trees, descending to the ground only to drink water. Guinea turacos are not big fans of flying, they would rather climb branches than use their wings.

Turaco is characterized by a relatively short, slightly swollen beak, a peculiar semicircular crest on the head of an adult bird, and relatively short rounded wings. Length 40-43 cm, weight 225-290 g. Green color dominates in color - it is present on the head, neck, chest and upper back. The back of the back, rump and tail are blackish with a lilac or violet metallic sheen. The lower part of the belly and undertail are also blackish, but without shine. The color of the crest is completely green, without a white edge. A white spot is developed in front of the eye, bordered with black below; There is a red leathery ring around the eye.

The dominant color of the plumage is bright green, which allows the birds to be less noticeable among the foliage and gives the name to the whole family of these birds. The color of this bird is similar to a peacock feather - the same iridescent shade of emerald. The fact is that the metallic green color in the turaco’s plumage does not arise due to the refraction of light in the microstructures of feathers, as in other birds, but due to the presence of a special pigment that is no longer found in any other animal - turacoverdin, which contains iron. The poorly studied pigment turacoverdin belongs to the group of porphyrins, which are quite soluble in water, so the water in puddles after a turaco bathes in them acquires the appropriate color, and the wet feathers of these birds discolor or become dull brown if the bird gets very wet in tropical rain. After some time, she again becomes a bright beauty.

They live in evergreen gallery (floodplain) and tropical rainforests, often near cultivated landscapes. Preference is given to mature secondary plantings. In the Cameroon Highlands they are found up to an altitude of 1385 meters above sea level. Banana eaters easily survive in captivity and are distinguished by their lively disposition and unpretentiousness in food. The diet consists mainly of the fruits of tropical plants - dates, wild figs, musanga, ficus, macaranga, rauwolfia, cissus, nightshade, and also eats flowers and buds. The name “banana eaters” is not entirely correct, since they practically do not eat bananas.

It is believed that the turaco's breeding season usually coincides with the rainy season. However, despite similar climatic conditions, reports on the timing of breeding vary greatly: for example, in Cameroon, egg laying was observed in May-June and August, and in neighboring Gabon from December to February and from June to September. Monogamous, nests in isolated pairs in an area protected from other birds. The nest, which is a shallow and rough structure made of twigs (similar to a pigeon nest, but more voluminous), is placed in a fork of branches in the dense crown of a tree or bush at a height of 1.5-5.3 m above the ground. The clutch usually contains 2 eggs, almost spherical in shape, cream-colored. Both members of the pair incubate for 21-23 days. Chicks are nesting type, when born they are covered with a thick layer of down. Parents take turns feeding their offspring, regurgitating the food they bring from beak to beak. At the age of 26-28 days, the chicks leave the nest for the first time, still remaining on the branches nearby. The ability to fly appears at the age of about 38 days, but they are fed by their parents for another 9-10 weeks before they become completely independent.

The first scientific description of the Guinea turaco appeared in 1758 in Carl Linnaeus's System of Nature. Giving it the name persa, translated from Latin as “Persian,” the author referred to the similarity of the shapes of the bird’s crest and the tiara, an ancient Persian headdress. There are three subspecies of the Guinea turaco:
— Tauraco persa buffoni
— Tauraco persa persa
- Tauraco persa zenkeri.
The variability between them is manifested in additional details of the head pattern. Subspecies are distinguished mainly by the white postorbital stripe - its width and length.

The banana-eater can be found in such African countries as Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, South Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) and Angola.

Livingston's baneater (Tauraco livingstonii) is a family of birds classified in the monotypic order Turaciformes.

They live in forests in central and southern Africa.

The Livingston's banana beetle is common in the subtropical lowlands of southeastern Africa. It also has an isolated population in Burundi.

Livingston's Baneater Habitat

The natural habitat of the Livingston bananaeater is coastal and mountain evergreen forest, up to 2500 m above sea level. These birds are poorly adapted for flight, but they have powerful legs and are able to move nimbly along tree branches and through vegetation.

Appearance of Livingston's bananaeater

This beautiful bird is not large in size, the male is only slightly larger than the female, the weight of the Livingston banana-eater is 260-380 grams, and its length from beak to tail is approximately 45-46 cm. A distinctive feature of an adult bird is a bright long green crest with a white tip.

Inconceivable colors are present in the color of the bird: brilliant green, violet, blue, purple, red. Feathers of rainbow colors make the appearance of banana eaters fabulous, especially when the birds are well lit by sunlight, and hang on trees, shimmering like precious stones.

In addition to all this splendor, the turaco has an amazing tail, which, when spread, can easily compete with a peacock’s, brightly colored, large and heavy. A curved crest puffs up on the head. The birds' wings are slightly short, with rounded tips.

The male and female differ little from each other in external characteristics. The short beak with jagged edges is yellow and has a convex beak.

Lifestyle and nutrition of the Livingston banana eater

The natural habitat is dense tropical rainforests located in both lowlands and highlands at altitudes up to 2500 m above sea level. These birds fly very poorly, so they prefer to move along the treetops in search of food. Their diet consists almost entirely of various fruits and tropical plants. If they are deficient, they eat flowers, young leaves and blossoming buds.

Livingston's bananaeaters live in pairs or small groups. They have a tolerant attitude towards other bird species, but clearly do not like their relatives from neighboring groups. The feathered beauties fiercely defend the borders of their domains from them. In captivity, Livingston's turacos usually have a calm, friendly character and get along well with the rest of the household.

Reproduction of Livingston's bananaeater

The mating season runs from August to February depending on the habitat.

The female most often lays 2 eggs, reminiscent of pigeons.

Nests are located high above the ground in tree hollows.

The chicks appear nesting type, naked and gradually covered with down. This cover remains on the chicks for more than 50 days. All development proceeds slowly: incubation lasts more than three weeks, six weeks pass after the chicks hatch, when they leave the nest, and besides, the chicks cannot fly. This is where the second claw on the wing comes to the rescue, which is well developed and with its help the chicks climb trees excellently. And only a week after leaving the nest, they timidly flutter from branch to branch of nearby trees.

Both spouses are involved in feeding the chicks. The chicks are blackish in color, which changes to green as they grow older. They begin to fly at about 1.5 months of age, but continue to be in the care of their parents for another 2-3 months.

The closest relatives of the cuckoo are Turaco birds. They have another name - banana eaters. We will talk about this strikingly beautiful bird, similar to a parrot. What does a turaco look like, what are they like, where do they live and what do they eat? First things first.

Description of the banana-eater bird

Most of all turacos are this is a big blue bananaeater, which is a medium-sized bird whose body length is about 70 centimeters. They fly very poorly, but thanks to their strong legs they jump excellently.

More than twenty species of such birds live in Africa. All individuals have a unique exotic color that does not leave any person indifferent.

Feather color is so varied and rich in all the colors of the rainbow that this makes the birds look like fairy-tale characters. The light is especially bright in sunlight, then the bird becomes even more unusual, its feathers shimmer like precious stones.

In addition, the turaco has an amazingly beautiful tail, which, when spread, is no worse than a peacock’s. This is not just a tail, it is a large, bright and colorful fan, from which it is impossible to take your eyes off. A crest sticks out from the top of the banana eater's head. The wings are short and rounded.

Turacos are incredibly beautiful birds. Oddly enough, they do not differ much in appearance, depending on gender. Habitat of these birds- as a rule, steppes, forests and savannas, but wherever Turako lives, she definitely needs trees. This is a favorite place for turacos. Banana eaters do not know how to build a nest; it is always undecorated and sloppy. In some ways it resembles a pigeon - flat, chaotic. But with such an exterior, one drawback can be forgiven.

One female lays two eggs at a time. The chicks hatch completely naked and only after a while their skin is gradually covered with down, with which they live for about 50 days. The chicks develop rather slowly:

• eggs hatch for 3-4 weeks;
• from the moment the chick hatches until it leaves the nest, about 40 days pass;

Chicks covered with down cannot fly. But thanks to the structure of their wing, on which the claw is located, they excellently and very deftly climb tree branches. And only after a week they leave their nest and try to learn to fly short distances.

Adult turacos are very active, they jump from branch to branch so deftly that it is sometimes even unnoticeable. In their natural environment, banana eaters feel comfortable and become incredibly energetic. Without movement, they can only be seen while eating. And then, rarely. As a rule, a banana eater, having picked a berry, immediately jumps to another branch or tree. Turacos will announce their presence with a loud tropical cry. This is not a nightingale's song, it is a harsh and rude cry. Banana eaters are bad vocalists; you won’t hear drawn-out songs or musical singing from them.

The basis of the turaco diet is plant food: tree shoots, fruits and berries. Despite their name, banana eaters are not banana eaters. It is not known why they were named this way, but certainly not because of gastronomic preferences.

Barnacle turaco

The crown jewel of the banana-eater family is the white-cheeked turaco. This is a small bird, but its colors are simply stunning. The bird has white feathers around its eyes and on its cheeks, while its main plumage is bright and colorful. The bird's tail is also decorated with white. The comb on the turaco's head is aqua green. It was the comb that gave this bird its second name - crested bird. In terms of appearance, the female is practically no different from the male.

The white-cheeked turaco lives in East Africa.

The nesting period begins in April and ends in July. During the mating season, the male calls the female with a loud cry and his cry is heard throughout the forest.

An unformed, unstable nest of turacos is built on trees from branches. The nest is flat, with a small depression in which the eggs and subsequently the chicks are located.

During mating season Banana-eaters live in pairs, after which family groups are formed from the pairs, which can be quite numerous. Birds are almost constantly on the move, stopping only to rest or eat. Turacos are very timid, therefore, having found a berry or the fruit of a fruit tree, the bird, having collected food, immediately hides at the top of the tree. Turacos can play with each other, catch up and flap their wings.

The banana eater flies with short bursts of its wings, after which it spreads them and slowly falls down and then flaps its wings again.

If there is a lack of nutrients, banana eaters can supplement their diet with insects and seeds.

Blue-crested turaco

This banana eater is medium in size. The body length is from 40 to 45 centimeters, the weight of the bird does not exceed three hundred grams. The main plumage is green. The tuft on the top of the head is blue. This species is monotypic.

Just like other banana-eaters, blue-crested chicks are born completely bald and covered with black down only after a month and a half.

This is a sedentary bird that spends most of its life on a tree. If the bird is in danger, it hides in the thickets of trees, while actively using the claw on its wing.

The Blue-crested Baneater prefers to eat:

• berries;
• fruits;
• verbena fruits.

Red-crested turaco

This is the only representative of the genus whose plumage contains green and red color. The bird's body does not exceed 40 centimeters in length. The hallmark of this turaco is the crest on the top of the head, which has a true red feather tint. The bird's toes are movable in all directions. The female is no different from the male.

The main feathers are green and blue, the wings are cherry color. Thanks to this color, the bird cleverly camouflages itself on the top of a tree and becomes completely invisible.

Both parents incubate the eggs. They also take care of feeding the chicks together.

The red-crested banana-eater lives exclusively in trees. The bird feeds mainly on insects and berries.

Turacos live in families of thirty or more individuals, but during the mating season they are divided into pairs and take care of their mate.

Turaco are birds with a long tail that belong to the family of banana-eaters. Their average size is 40-70 cm. They have a feathery crest on their heads. It is like an indicator of mood; it stands on end when the bird is excited. There are 22 species of turaco in nature. Their habitat is the savannah and forests of Africa.

These feathered forest dwellers are characterized by bright purple, blue, green and red plumage. As seen in photo turaco come in a wide variety of colors. Let us introduce you to the different types of turaco. Purple turaco one of the large species of banana eaters. Its length reaches 0.5 m, and its wings and tail are 22 cm.

The crown of this beautiful bird is decorated with delicate, soft red plumage. Young animals do not have such a crest; it appears only with age. The remaining feathers are dark purple, and the lower part of the body is dark green. The wings are blood red and dark purple at the tip.

In the photo there is a purple turaco bird

There is no feathering around the brown eyes. Legs are black. Habitats purple turaco is part of Lower Guinea and Upper Guinea. Livingston's turaco- a medium-sized bird. The elite of African society decorate their headdresses with feathers of this type of turaco.

Their color is influenced by pigments (turacin and turaverdin). Water upon contact with turacin turns red, and after turaverdine it turns green. This miracle bird looks especially elegant after the rain. At this time it sparkles like emerald. Livingston's turaco is found in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and partly in Mozambique.

Pictured is a Livingston turaco bird

Red-crested turaco like Livingston's turaco, they have red and green plumage. A distinctive feature of this species is its red comb. Its length is 5 cm. The comb stands on end when it experiences feelings of anxiety, danger and excitement. These birds occupy the territory from Angola to the Congo.

Pictured is a red-crested turaco

Representatives Guinean turaco there are different races. Northern races are distinguished by single-colored rounded crests of green color. The rest of the Guinean turacos have a pointed crest of 2 colors.

The upper part of the crest is white or blue, and the lower part is green. These birds have a rare pigment - turaverdine. It contains copper. Therefore, their plumage has a metallic green sheen. The adult size is 42 cm. They live from Senegal to Zaire and Tanzania.

Pictured is a Guinean turaco

Turaco hartlauba or Blue-crested turaco is a medium-sized bird. Body length 40-45 cm, weight 200-300 g. The color contains red and green colors. Red - mainly on the flight feathers. Some pigments that are present in the plumage of blue crests are washed off with water. For their habitat, they choose forested highlands at an altitude of 1500-3200 m, urban gardens of East Africa.

In the photo there is a Hartlauba turaco

Character and lifestyle of the turaco bird

All turaco birds lead a sedentary lifestyle on tall trees. These are quite secretive birds. Flocks consist of 12-15 individuals, but they do not all fly at once, but one after another, like scouts. They carry out their flights from tree to tree in silence. Having discovered a bush with berries, these shy ones do not stay long, but simply visit it often.

Blue-backed turacos They try to return to the big tree as quickly as possible, where they feel safe. It is when they are safe that their cries are heard throughout the area. Having all gathered together, these “wonderful birds” flap their wings and chase each other screaming.

Pictured is a blue-backed turaco

Turaco birds live in a variety of landscapes. Their habitats can equally be mountains, plains, savannas and tropical forests. The area inhabited by turaco families ranges from 4 hectares to 2 km2, it all depends on the size of the birds. Very rarely, these birds descend to the ground, only in case of emergency.

They can only be seen on the ground during dust baths or watering holes. They spend the rest of the time hiding in the branches of trees. These birds fly well and crawl through trees. Turaco, like parrots, easily survive in captivity. They are very unpretentious in food and have a lively disposition.

Turaco food

Turaco belongs to the family of banana-eaters, despite the fact that these birds do not eat bananas. They feed on young shoots and leaves of tropical plants, exotic berries and fruits. An interesting fact is that several turaco species They eat some poisonous fruits that neither animals nor other birds eat.

They pick berries from trees and bushes, filling their crops to capacity with these delicacies. In exceptional cases, turacos can feed on insects, seeds and even small reptiles. To feed on large fruits, the bird uses its sharp, jagged beak. It is thanks to its sharp beak that it tears the rafts from the stalks and cuts their shell for further division into small pieces.

Reproduction and lifespan of turaco

The turaco breeding season is from April to July. At this time, they try to break into pairs. The male gives a calling call during the mating season. Turacos nest in pairs, apart from other members of the flock. The nest is built from many twigs and twigs. These shallow structures are located on tree branches. For safety reasons, these birds nest at a height of 1.5 - 5.3 m.

Pictured are turaco chicks

The clutch consists of 2 white eggs. The pair incubates in turn for 21-23 days. The chicks are born naked. After a while, their body becomes covered with fluff. This outfit lasts for 50 days. The process of maturing offspring in turacos takes a lot of time.

And throughout this period, parents feed their chicks. They regurgitate the food they bring directly into the baby’s beak. At the age of 6 weeks, the chicks can leave the nest, but they still cannot fly. They climb trees near the nest. A well-developed claw on the second finger of the wing helps them in this.

It will take several more weeks before the chicks learn to fly from branch to branch. But responsible parents still feed their offspring for 9-10 weeks. These, despite the long period of maturation, are considered long-lived. Lifespan of a turaco is 14-15 years old.

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