ANIMAL:White-Cheeked Turaco Tauraco leucotis
Type of Animal:
Turaco
Habitat:
Forests between 2,624.67-10,498.69 ft, wooded valleys, trees/bush along rivers
Location(s):
Extreme SE Sudan & border area w/ South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea
Appearance:
Green w/ deep greenish-blue tail/wings, crimson red inner wings, white patch in front of eyes & on side of neck, orangish-red beak/eye ring, blue-green crest
Food/Diet:
Fruit, berries, vegetables, plant matter, insects, small lizards, eggs
Status in Wild:
Stable
Conservation:
Breeding in zoos, aviculture, & wildlife parks
Lifestyle:
Monogamous pairs or family flocks of monogamous pair w/ 1-4 sets of offspring (each 1-3, usually 2, young). Older offspring act as helpers for younger offspring.
Additional Info:Called:
Male: Cock
Female: Hen
Young: Chick
Group: Flock
Weight:
Male: 11.1 oz
Female: 7.1 oz
Gestation:
3 weeksLife Span:
10 years in wild, 30 years in captivity
Height:
Male: 1.42 ft
Female: 1.41 ft
Body Length:
Male: 1.42 ft
Female: 1.41 ft
Tail Length:
7.48 in, same for both sexes
Main predators are carnivorous/omnivorous mammals, predatory birds, & snakes.
Due to frugivorous diet, they play important role in seed dispersal.
Sexually mature at a year old.
Use long tails for balance & feet for gripping.
Nests made of twigs usually 23-32 ft above ground.
One of most common turaco species in captivity.
Shy in wild but somewhat tame in captivity
Courtship starts w/ increased vocalization & chasing from tree to tree. Then courtship feeding occurs.
Has 6.69-7.08 in wingspan.
Pairs defend territory by approaching offenders, bowing low, extending outwards/forwards, & doing pigeon-like whooo call.
Fun Fact(s):
Can release feathers when caught/threatened.
Occasionally hybridize w/ threatened Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco in S Ethiopia.
Like all turacos, semi-zygodactylous w/ outer toe at right angle but able to be switched backwards/forwards.
Crest can stand 2 in tall when excited.
Sometimes kept as pets.
At least 1 seen in UK (most likely a few)-most likely released/escaped pets. 1st one seen in E London in October 2009. In 2014, another one (or same bird) seen in Langton Green, Kent, being featured in village magazine.
Green feathers come from unique pigment called turacoverdin. Turacin colors crimson red inner wing feathers. In fact, name “turaco” derives from turacin pigment.
Like all turacos, weak fliers, preferring hopping from branch to branch.
