Schalow's turaco is a frugivorous bird in the family Musophagidae. This bird's common name and Latin binomial commemorate the German banker and amateur ornithologist Herman Schalow.
Region
South-central and East Africa
Typical Environment
Found in evergreen and riverine forests, wooded ravines, and miombo and montane woodlands from south-central to eastern Africa. Its range extends broadly from Angola and southern Democratic Republic of the Congo east through Zambia and Malawi into southwestern Tanzania and northwestern Zimbabwe. It favors forest edges and secondary growth where fruiting trees are abundant. Birds typically remain in the mid to upper canopy, moving stealthily through dense foliage. They are largely sedentary but may make local movements following fruit availability.
Altitude Range
900–2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Schalow's turaco is a striking frugivore best known for its vivid crimson flight feathers, colored by the unique copper-based pigment turacin. Its rich green plumage comes from turacoverdin, a true green pigment rare among birds. The species name honors German banker and amateur ornithologist Herman Schalow. It is generally secretive in dense canopy but can be conspicuous when calling or flying between fruiting trees.
Schalow's Turaco
Temperament
shy but social within small groups
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with gliding between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups that keep contact with loud calls. Monogamous pairs build shallow twig platform nests high in trees and typically lay two eggs. Both sexes share incubation and feeding duties, and juveniles use well-developed feet and wing claws to climb through the canopy.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The call is a loud, resonant series of gruff, barking notes that carry over the forest. It may also give croaks and chuckles during social interactions. Vocalizations often peak at dawn and late afternoon.
Plumage
Glossy green body with bluish tones on the wings and tail, elongated crest with pale or white tips, and brilliant crimson primaries visible in flight.
Diet
Primarily eats soft fruits and berries, especially figs and other native forest fruits. It supplements this with flowers, buds, and young leaves, and occasionally takes small invertebrates. The species often forages methodically from branch to branch, swallowing fruit whole and later regurgitating seeds, aiding forest regeneration.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid to upper canopy of evergreen and riverine forests, as well as along forest edges and in secondary woodland. It frequents fruiting trees and can move locally between patches as food ripens.
