# Red-crested Turaco (*Tauraco erythrolophus*) The Red-crested Turaco is a colorful bird with a bright red crest on its head. It loves to hop around in trees and can be found in the forests of Africa, making it a fun bird to spot! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Red-crested Turaco](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Red-crested_Turaco_RWD.jpg&width=800) Photo: DickDaniels ( http://theworldbirds.org/ ), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red-crested_Turaco_RWD.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-crested Turaco has a brilliant scarlet crest atop its head, contrasting with a vibrant emerald-green body. A distinct white crescent surrounds its eye, making its bright red beak stand out. Its large, striking red crest makes it visually different from most other forest birds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Musophagiformes - **Family:** Musophagidae - **Genus:** Tauraco ## Interesting facts - It makes a loud, crow-like call that sounds like 'kwa-kwa-kwa', echoing through the forest! - Its amazing red and green feathers get their colors from special copper absorbed from its diet! - This bird has special feet that let it run along branches and even hang upside down! - Turacos are the only birds known to have true red and green pigments in their feathers! ## Special abilities - **Color Magic:** Red-crested Turaco has unique copper-based pigments (turacin and turacoverdin) that give its feathers their vivid red and green colors. - **Acrobat Climber:** Red-crested Turaco can reverse its outer toes, allowing it to grip branches tightly and climb expertly through the forest canopy. - **Washable Feathers:** Red-crested Turaco has a rare water-soluble red pigment, turacin, meaning its red feathers can actually 'wash out' if the bird is unwell. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 46-51 cm - **Wingspan:** 70-75 cm - **Weight:** 0.21-0.32 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2 - **Incubation:** 21-23 days ## Diet & Feeding This colorful bird loves to munch on juicy fruits and berries from the forest. - **Primary Foods:** wild fruits, berries, flowers, young leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Crowned Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crowned-eagle) (*Stephanoaetus coronatus*) — Juveniles are occasionally preyed upon. - **Eats:** Sycamore Fig (*Ficus sycomorus*) — Consumes figs, an important food source. - **Eats:** African Ebony (*Diospyros mespiliformis*) — Feeds on its fruits. - **Symbiotic with:** Sycamore Fig (*Ficus sycomorus*) — Disperses seeds, aiding plant reproduction. ## Traits - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance to keep them safe and happy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-crested Turaco? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red-crested Turaco? 46-51 cm ### What is Red-crested Turaco's wingspan? 70-75 cm ### How much does Red-crested Turaco weigh? 0.21-0.32 kg ### How long does Red-crested Turaco live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Red-crested Turaco move? 35 km/h ### What does Red-crested Turaco eat? This colorful bird loves to munch on juicy fruits and berries from the forest. ### Where is Red-crested Turaco usually found? Forests ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Red-crested Turaco: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-crested-turaco)