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Great Blue Turaco
Corythaeola cristata
IUCN Status: Least concern.
Size: Length; 75cm. Weight; 1230g.
Habitat and distribution: Equatorial Africa. Lowland, intermediate and montane rainforest.
Groups and breeding: Nest on a platform of dry sticks, built by both sexes. Lay 2 eggs, incubation period is around 31 days and is shared by both male and female. The chick is fed by both parents and leaves the nest around 45 days old.
Generally found in groups of up to 7 individuals.
Diet: Fruit, buds, leaves and flowers
- The Great Blue Turaco is the largest of the turacos.
- 23 species make up the Musophagidae (turacos) family.
- Turacos are more commonly known as louries in Africa.
- Turacos have semi-zygodactyle toes; two point forwards and two backwards.
- Unique to the Turaco family are the presence of two copper pigments, red turacin and green turacoverdin; no other animal species has this. The colours are more intense in more lush habitats.
- Due to their short rounded wings, turacos are poor fliers and spend most of their time running along or hopping from branch to branch.
Want to Help?
A visit to the Cotswold Wildlife Park can now be even more worthwhile. By adopting an animal, you can provide a helpful contribution towards the costs of keeping and feeding the animals and supporting our conservation breeding programmes... click here for more information