The great blue turaco is a bird species of the family Musophagidae. At 70–76 cm (28–30 in) in length, it is the largest species of turaco. It has predominantly grey-blue plumage with an upright blue-black crest around 10 cm (3.9 in) high. The male and female have similar plumage. It is widespread throughout the African tropical rainforest.
Region
West and Central African tropical forests
Typical Environment
It occupies lowland and foothill rainforests, gallery forests, and forest edges across countries from Guinea and Sierra Leone east through Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Congo Basin to Uganda and western Kenya. The species favors tall, mature canopy but also uses secondary growth and riparian corridors. It readily visits fruiting trees in village edges, farmlands with scattered trees, and plantations. It is largely sedentary, making local movements in response to fruit availability.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The great blue turaco is the largest turaco and a key seed disperser in African rainforests, often traveling long distances between fruiting trees. Its brilliant colors include pigments unique to turacos (such as turacoverdin), rare among birds. It is sometimes hunted locally for meat and ornamental feathers but remains widespread overall.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with gliding between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs, family parties, or loose groups of up to a dozen birds moving through the canopy. Both sexes build a flimsy stick platform high in a tree and share incubation and chick-rearing. Chicks are agile climbers with well-developed claws, leaving the nest early to scramble through branches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, resonant, and somewhat booming, including deep cow-cow and croaking calls that carry far through the forest. Also gives clucks, barks, and gruff chatter during group movements and at dawn.
Plumage
Predominantly grey-blue to blue body with a long tail and contrasting darker blue-black upright crest. Underparts show greenish to yellowish tones with chestnut undertail coverts. Wings are blue with darker flight feathers, giving a broad, rounded appearance in flight.
Diet
Primarily eats a wide variety of fruits, especially figs, and also takes berries, buds, and young leaves. Will consume flowers and seeds, and occasionally small invertebrates such as insects or snails. Feeds methodically among fruiting trees, often swallowing fruits whole and later regurgitating seeds, aiding forest regeneration. Its movements track seasonal fruiting, leading to localized concentrations where fruit is abundant.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the middle to upper canopy, descending to edges and clearings where fruiting trees are accessible. Frequently visits forest margins, gallery forests, and agroforestry areas with tall trees. Uses tall perches to scan for fruiting crowns before moving in short flights.
