ExploreBirds

Ross's turaco

Musophaga rossae

Ross's turaco is a colorful bird with bright green and red feathers. It loves to hop around in trees and is known for its beautiful, loud calls that sound like music in the forest.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Ross's turaco has striking glossy blue-purple body plumage, contrasting with a bright red, velvety crest and a prominent yellow bill with a red tip. Its bare red eye-ring adds to its unique, regal appearance, making it unmistakable among African birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderMusophagiformesFamilyMusophagidaeGenusMusophaga
Ross's turaco
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Ross's turaco

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Ross's turaco swallows large fruits whole, seeds and all, helping new plants grow!

Their bright red crest feels like soft velvet, making them look very fancy!

Their loud, cackling calls can travel far through the dense African rainforests!

They have special feet that can point two toes forward and two back for super grip!

Special abilities

Ability

Water-Soluble Colors

Ross's turaco has unique red and green feather pigments that can slightly dissolve, making their vibrant colors truly special.

Ability

Agile Climber

Ross's turaco can rotate its outer toe, helping it grip branches from any angle for agile climbing.

Ability

Loud Watchman

Ross's turaco has a loud cackling call, helping them communicate warnings and mark territory in dense forests.

Measurements & details

Length
50-54 cm
Wingspan
75-85 cm
Weight
0.2-0.3 kg
Lifespan
10-20 years
Top Speed
35 km/h
Clutch Size
1-3
Incubation
20-23 days

Diet & Feeding

This fruit-loving bird mostly eats yummy fruits, like figs, helping to spread seeds for new trees.

Age differences: Young birds are fed regurgitated fruit by parents until they can forage independently.

Primary Foods

  • Ficus fruits
  • Elaeis guineensis fruits
  • Musa fruits
  • Acacia seeds
  • Insect larvae

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Cape Fig

Ficus sur

Consumes fruits, dispersing seeds

eats

African Oil Palm

Elaeis guineensis

Feeds on the oily fruits

eaten by

Crowned Eagle

Stephanoaetus coronatus

A primary avian predator

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Ross's turaco?

The easiest way to identify Ross's turaco is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Ross's turaco?

50-54 cm

What is Ross's turaco's wingspan?

75-85 cm

How much does Ross's turaco weigh?

0.2-0.3 kg

How long does Ross's turaco live?

10-20 years

How fast can Ross's turaco move?

35 km/h

What does Ross's turaco eat?

This fruit-loving bird mostly eats yummy fruits, like figs, helping to spread seeds for new trees.

Where is Ross's turaco usually found?

Forests

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