Purple-crested Turaco

Tauraco porphyreolophus

Purple-crested Turaco, Tauraco porphyreolophus, photo © by Michael Plagens

Photographed at Nairobi, Kenya. 28 March 2013. Okay, the bird was high in a tree and there was a lot of backlighting. I will try again next time.

From Wikipedia: This bird has a purple coloured crest above a green head, a red ring around their eyes, and a black bill. The neck and chest are green and brown. The rest of the body is purple, with red flight feathers. They live in moist woodland and evergreen forests. They eat mainly fruits. The Purple-crested Turaco is the National Bird of the Kingdom of Swaziland. The crimson flight feathers of this and related Turaco species are important in the Ceremonial Regalia of the Saswati Royal Family.

Musophagidae -- Turaco Family

Books:

  • Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Zimmerman et al.
  • Birds of East Africa by Stevenson and Fanshawe

More Information:


Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens, page created 18 July 2013