Tauraco persa (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common Name and Scientific Name

The Guinea turaco (Tauraco persa), scientific name Tauraco persa (Linnaeus, 1758), is often inconspicuous when staying in treetops.

Size and Weight

It measures approximately 40–43 cm (16–17 in) in total length including its long tail, and weighs between 225–290 g (7.9–10.2 oz).

General Plumage

Its plumage is mostly brilliant green and blue; the green coloration comes from the pigment turacoverdin.

Tail and Wing Plumage

The tail and wings are dark purplish, except for distinct crimson primary feathers that stand out clearly when the bird is in flight.

Head Features

It has an erectile semi-circular green crest on its head, red and white patches around its eyes, and a thick red bill.

Subspecies T. p. buffoni Markings

In the westernmost subspecies Tauraco persa buffoni, which is sometimes called Buffon's turaco, there is a white line above and in front of the eye, and a black line below the eye.

Nominate and T. p. zenkeri Markings

In the nominate subspecies Tauraco persa persa from the central part of the species' range, and zenkeri from the southeastern part, there is an additional second white line below the black line.

Distinguishing Plumage Trait

Unlike similar red-billed turaco species, even adult Guinea turacos have no white rear edge on their crest.

Vocalization

The Guinea turaco produces a loud cawr-cawr call, made up of 10–16 raucous cawing notes.

Population Status

This species has an extremely large range and a stable population.

General Distribution Range

It occurs in forests of West and Central Africa, ranging east from Senegal to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and south to northern Angola.

Country Occurrences

It has been recorded in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Habitat Types

It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland forest, gallery forest, and tropical rainforest edge, and is often found near cultivated areas.

Elevation Range

It is common in climax forest with abundant tall trees, occurring from sea level up to around 1,100 m (3,600 ft).

Movement and Territoriality

Tauraco persa is normally sedentary and strongly territorial.

Diet

These birds feed on a wide variety of wild and cultivated tropical fruits, including species from genera such as Musanga, Macaranga, Rauvolfia, Cissus and Ficus, and also feed on blossoms.

Locomotion

They do not fly well, and prefer to climb between branches instead.

Breeding Timing

Breeding timing varies by location: in Cameroon they breed in May–June and August, in Gabon they breed from December to February and from June to September, and in Sierra Leone they breed in June and October.

Reproduction Details

Females lay two eggs in a platform nest built in a tree.