Corythaeola cristata

(Vieillot, 1816)

Vernacular names
English : Great blue turaco
French : Touraco géant

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Musophagiformes
Family : Musophagidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Largest turaco species reaching a length of 75 cm for a weight of 1.2 kg. Unmistakable. Conspicuous black crest, laterally compressed yellow and red bill. Plumage turquoise blue with yellow and rufous belly, yellow undertail, black tail tip.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in west and central Africa, from Guinea Bissau to South Sudan, north-west Tanzania and south to Angola. It lives in rainforests and dense gallery forests, from sea level to 2700 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is widespread and still locally common but could be vulnerable to habitat loss, deforestation, persecution and over-collection for trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Dallas World Aquarium (USA), Jurong Bird Park (Singapore), Zoo Antwerpen (Belgium), Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Germany)

 

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