Violet turaco
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The violet turaco, also known as the violaceous plantain eater (Tauraco violaceus), is a large turaco, a group of African otidimorphae.
CharacteristicsEdit
These are unmistakable birds, but shy and often inconspicuous in the treetops. They are approximately Template:Convert long, including a long tail and a Template:Convert bill. They boast a winglength of Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and weigh approximately Template:Convert. The plumage is glossy violet, except for the yellow forehead, chestnut crown and white ear coverts; the bill is thick and red. In flight, the violet turaco's crimson primary flight feathers contrast with the violet plumage. The red colour in the wings is typical of turacos.
HabitatEdit
It is resident of West Africa, and has an extremely large range from Senegal through to Nigeria, with isolated populations in Chad and the Central African Republic. It occurs in tropical savannas, wetlands, woodlands and forests.
DietEdit
Diet consists of fruit, and they are quite partial to figs, but they will also eat leaves, buds, flowers, insects, snails and slugs.
ReproductionEdit
Cooperative breeding behavior has been observed in captivity in this species. They breed mainly during the rainy season, but the timing varies from place to place. As the breeding starts around April in Senegal and Gambia, while in Nigeria it occurs between June and October.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The female lays two eggs in a flimsy tree platform nest. Both male and female take care of the eggs and hatchlings.
ThreatsEdit
This species is locally common, but is vulnerable to trapping for the pet trade in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana.
BehaviorEdit
Turacos are social birds, travelling in flocks of around ten to twelve individuals. They are not strong fliers, preferring to hop along branches. When threatened, they can run quickly through the trees.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The violet turaco has a loud "Template:Not a typo" call.
GalleryEdit
- Musophaga violacea -Atlanta Zoo, Georgia, USA-8a.jpg
At Atlanta Zoo, Georgia, US
- Musophaga violacea-20080321.jpg
- MusophagaViolacea.jpg
- Musophaga violacea.jpg
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ReferencesEdit
Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, Template:ISBN