Emerald Park | Violaceous Turaco | Theme Park & Zoo
A close up of Violet Turaco at emerald park

Violaceous turaco / violet turaco

Musophaga violacea
Conservation status IUCN
Least concern

For more info on classifications visit
www.iucnredlist.org

endangered list labels least concern
endangered list least concern sign
  • paws icon
    Animal class
    Aves, musophagiformes.
  • house icon
    Habitat
    They prefer to live in forest and savannah.
  • apple icon
    Diet
    Omnivores – feed primarily on fruits and berries. Will also eat leaves, flowers, seeds, insect larvae, slugs, and snails.
  • location icon
    Conservation status
    Least concern – population is stable throughout its range.
  • Introduction

    Violaceous turacos have violet coloured plumage with an orange beak that leads to a yellow shield, on the forehead, with crimson crest feathers. Their primary feathers are also crimson, which contrast beautifully with the violet plumage in flight.

    They are poor fliers but are very agile on their feet, when running through the trees by using their tail for balance. As juveniles they have claws on their wings which assist with movement in the tree canopy. The outside claw on their feet is reversible, allowing them to get to the end of branches to pick up fruit.

    Violaceous turaco are very social birds that will travel in flocks of up to 12 individuals.

  • Conservation

    Violaceous turacos are classified of least concern.

    Although their population is stable, they have been under threat due to the trapping, for the pet trade.

  • Habitat

    The violaceous turaco has an extremely large range that spans across 16 countries in Africa.

    They can be found in open woodlands and riverine forests.

  • Fun Facts

    Violaceous turacos eat a wide variety of fruits and berries helping with their dispersal throughout the forest creating new habitats for other species to live.

    Turacos are monogamous. Courtship involves chasing and calling, with the male bowing and wing spreading, followed by the birds feeding together.

    They share nest building by loosely binding twigs together in densely foliated trees Both parents help to raise and protect the young, even though they can become quite active after just 2-3 weeks.