The red-crested turaco is a turaco, a group of African otidimorph birds. It is a frugivorous bird endemic to western Angola. Its call sounds somewhat like a jungle monkey.
Region
Western Angola
Typical Environment
Occurs in riverine and gallery forests, dense thickets, and wooded savanna mosaics across western Angola. It favors forest edges, secondary growth, and riparian corridors where fruiting trees are abundant. The species also uses patches of evergreen forest within miombo landscapes and may visit orchards and village fruit trees. It is largely arboreal, moving through the midstory and canopy rather than descending to the ground.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 3/5
This striking turaco is instantly recognized by its vivid crimson crest and emerald-green body. Its wings flash bright red in flight due to unique copper-based pigments (turacin and turacoverdin) found only in turacos. The call is loud and barking—often compared to a jungle monkey—which carries far through forest canopies. It is sometimes kept in large aviaries but requires space and fruit-rich diets.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with gliding hops between trees
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups that keep to dense foliage. Pairs are often monogamous and defend small territories with loud calls. The nest is a flimsy twig platform placed in a tree, and both sexes share incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, barking series of notes often rendered as kow-kow-kow, reminiscent of a monkey’s call. Alarm calls are harsh and raucous, carrying long distances through the canopy.
Plumage
Soft, velvety green plumage with a conspicuous upright crimson crest and deep crimson primaries visible in flight; tail is dark with a bluish-green sheen.
Diet
Primarily consumes a variety of soft fruits and berries, including figs and other native fruiting trees. It also takes flower buds and young leaves and may occasionally ingest small invertebrates for additional protein. Seeds are often swallowed with the fruit and later regurgitated, aiding seed dispersal. Foraging is deliberate and mostly within the canopy.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid-canopy to upper canopy along forest edges, riparian forests, and secondary growth with abundant fruiting plants. It will venture into cultivated areas and gardens when fruiting trees are available.
