The Violet Turaco, also known as the Violaceous Plantain Eater (Musophaga violacea), is a large turaco, a group of African near-passerines. It is a resident breeder in the forests of tropical west Africa. It lays two eggs in a tree platform nest.

These are unmistakable birds, although often inconspicuous in the treetops. They are 45 cm (18 in) long, including a long tail. The plumage is glossy violet, except for the yellow forehead and chestnut crown; the bill is thick and red. In flight, Violet Turaco's crimson primary flight feathers contrast with the violet plumage.

This species is a common breeder in climax forest with plentiful tall trees. It feeds on fruit, especially figs, and some seeds.

Cooperative breeding behavior has been observed in captivity in this species.^[2]

Violet Turaco has a loud cooroo-cooroo call.

Gallery

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  At Atlanta Zoo, Georgia, USA

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References

1. ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Musophaga violacea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106002136. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
2. ^ Bent, Nancy; Corbett, Francine (1993). "Helping behaviour and other observations on nesting in the violet turaco". Avicultural Magazine 99 (3): 132–135. ISSN 0005-2256.

Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, ISBN 1-873403-32-1