Tauraco corythaix (Wagler, 1827)

Nomenclature and Common Names

The Knysna turaco, with the scientific name Tauraco corythaix, is called Knysna loerie in South Africa.

Taxonomic Classification

It is a large turaco, a member of the African Musophagidae bird group.

Distribution and Habitat

It is a resident breeding bird found in mature evergreen forests of southern and eastern South Africa, as well as Eswatini.

Historical Taxonomy

Previously, it was sometimes classified as a subspecies of the West African green turaco; historically, both Livingstone's and Schalow's turacos were considered subspecies of this species.

Breeding and Nesting

This species lays two eggs in a shallow stick platform nest, which is positioned in a tree or a clump of creepers.

Visibility within Range

Within its range, it is an unmistakable bird, though it often stays inconspicuous in the treetops.

Body Size and Length

It measures 40 to 42 cm long, including its long tail.

Plumage and Facial Markings

Its small but thick orange-red bill and a white line just below the eye stand out against its mainly green plumage.

Crest Characteristics

It has a tall green crest tipped with white.

Eye Features

Its eye is brown, and its eye-ring is deep red.

Flight Feather Coloration

When in flight, the Knysna turaco displays prominent crimson primary flight feathers.

Sexual Dimorphism and Juvenile Appearance

Males and females are similar in appearance, while juvenile birds have a shorter crest that lacks the white tip.

Typical Locomotor Behavior

The Knysna turaco is most often observed flying between forest trees or hopping along branches.

Diet Composition

Its diet consists of fruit, insects, and earthworms.

Vocalization

It produces a loud kow-kow-kow-kow call.

Family Common Names

Members of this bird family are called loeries in South Africa, while the international common name is turaco.

Unique Turaco Pigmentation Trait

Turacos (10 species in the genus Tauraco and 2 species in the genus Musophaga) are the only birds that have true red and green color.

Structural Color in Other Birds

For most other bird species, the plumage color human eyes see is structural color produced by feather structure.

Turaco Pigment Composition

Turacos' red pigment (turacin) and green pigment (turacoverdin) both contain copper.

Turacin Solubility Demonstration

If you stir a glass of water with a red turaco feather, the water will turn pink.

Museum Specimen Pigment Change

In museum specimens, these pigments darken with age as the copper oxidizes.

Plumage Color Stability

These birds retain their colors year-round.

Predator Escape Adaptation

It is thought that the Knysna loerie uses its red wing feathers to escape predators.

Predator Escape Mechanism

When it flies, predators tend to focus on the most visible red patch, follow it, and when the bird lands and folds its wings, the red wing feathers become hidden, allowing the Knysna loerie to escape unseen.