The Knysna Turaco - Tauraco corythaix – is an endemic resident in South Africa. It is found in the mature evergreen forests of southern and eastern South Africa. These birds are one of the most effective seed spreaders in our evergreen forests.

Description

Within its range, this is an unmistakable bird, although often inconspicuous in the treetops. It has a long tail, a small but thick orange-red bill and a white line just under the eye. The birds overall plumage is a beautiful green and purple, with a tall green crest, which is tipped with white. The eye is brown and the eye-ring deep red. The legs are black. In flight, it shows conspicuous crimson primary flight feathers. Sexes are similar, but juvenile birds have a shorter crest without the white tips.

Call

Their calls are a loud woop-woop-woop-korr-korr… and kok-kok-kok.

Food

It feeds mainly on fruit, supplemented with seeds and invertebrates. It does most of its foraging in the canopy of trees, sometimes descending to fruiting bushes and shrubs.

Breeding

The breeding season can be any time between May and February. The dove like nest is built by both sexes, and consists of a flimsy platform twigs. One to two eggs are laid, which are white, smooth, round and incubated by both sexes for 20 to 24 days. The chicks stay in the nest for about 3 weeks and are independent around 30 days.

Conservation Status – Least concern

Not threatened, although its population is locally impacted by deforestation.

Birdwatching

To see these magnificent birds ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create a custom tour for you or book on one of these scheduled Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -

Aves Eastern Cape Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.

Aves KZN Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.

Aves North East Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.