The Great Blue Turaco is a large and colorful bird. It is known for its bright blue feathers and striking yellow beak. It is native to the forests of Central and West Africa. This bird is admired for its calm nature and unique beauty.
It is a favorite among bird watchers. It has a fruit-based diet and plays a role in seed spreading. Its size, beauty, and rare appearance make it a special attraction.
Images of Great Blue Turaco
Price of Great Blue Turaco
The Great Blue Turaco is rarely sold. Its price usually ranges between $2,500 and $5,000 when available through licensed breeders.
Lifespan of Great Blue Turaco
The Great Blue Turaco can live around 18–20 years in the wild. It may reach up to 25 years in captivity under proper care.
Characteristics of the Great Blue Turaco
Various unique characteristics make the Great Blue Turaco stand out among other birds.
Characteristic
Features of the Great Blue Turaco
Scientific Name
Corythaeola cristata
Size
About 28–30 inches long
Color
Bright blue with green back and yellow chest
Crest
Has a tall, blue-black crest on the head
Weight
Around 2–3 pounds
Diet
Mostly fruits, leaves, and flowers
Habitat
Rainforests of Central and West Africa
Interesting Facts about the Great Blue Turaco
The Great Blue Turaco has many fascinating and unique features that interest people.
1. A Bird with Striking Colors
The Great Blue Turaco is admired for its vibrant blue and green feathers. It is one of the most colorful birds in Africa. Its chest is yellow, and its tail has a unique red tip that gives it a striking look when it flies.
These colors also help it blend into the forest canopy. Such dazzling patterns create a magical sight for birdwatchers in the wild. People who see it in zoos are often amazed by its glowing appearance.
2. The Largest of All Turacos
This bird holds the title of being the largest in the turaco family. It reaches up to 30 inches in length. Its long tail and broad wings give it a commanding presence in the forest.
It is gentle in nature and not aggressive like some other big birds. Its slow, gliding movements look mesmerising when it flies. Its size instantly draws attention in aviaries.
3. A Voice That Sounds Like Laughter
The Great Blue Turaco is famous for its loud calls that often resemble human laughter. These sounds echo through African forests and are used to communicate within groups.
The calls create a joyful environment, making it sound as if the forest is alive with joy. These calls often amuse people who hear them for the first time.
4. A Peaceful Personality
The Great Blue Turaco is known for its calm and peaceful nature. It rarely gets into fights with other birds and often prefers staying in groups.
This friendly behavior makes it easier to spot in aviaries where it lives with other species. It is favored among zookeepers due to its non-threatening nature. Many visitors appreciate its gentle and social personality.
5. A Bird That Loves Fruits
The diet of the Great Blue Turaco is made up mostly of fruits, especially figs. Its strong beak is designed to pluck and crush different types of soft fruits.
This makes it an important bird for the forest, as it spreads seeds while feeding. Its diet is carefully managed to include fresh fruits daily in zoos.
6. A Key Seed Spreader
The Great Blue Turaco plays a vital role in keeping forests alive by eating fruits and later dropping seeds far from the parent tree. This act helps new plants grow in different areas.
Many African trees rely on this bird for seed dispersal. The bird acts like a forest gardener. It shows the same habit of spreading seeds in its enclosure.
7. A Bird That Rarely Flies Long Distances
The Great Blue Turaco does not like to fly over long distances, despite its strong wings. It prefers hopping from one tree branch to another while flying smoothly in between.
This habit saves its energy and keeps it safe from predators. People often find it surprising that such a large bird is not a strong flyer. This trait makes it easier to watch up close in aviaries.
8. A Social Group Dweller
Great Blue Turacos are rarely seen alone. They live in small family groups of up to 20 birds. These groups move together through the forest and call loudly to stay connected.
Their group living keeps them safe from predators. This social lifestyle is also why they are popular in zoos. Visitors enjoy seeing their friendly behavior.
9. A Bird with Unique Crest Feathers
The Great Blue Turaco has black crest feathers on top of its head. These feathers can be raised or lowered depending on its mood. The crest gives it a stylish and almost crown-like appearance.
This special look makes it stand out among other tropical birds. Photographers love capturing this elegant feature.
10. Nesting High in Trees
Great Blue Turacos choose tall trees for building their nests. They create simple stick nests where the female lays just two eggs. The male and female share the responsibility of caring for the chicks. This cooperative parenting makes them unique among birds.
11. A Bird That Inspires Local Legends
The Great Blue Turaco is a symbol of luck and happiness in parts of Africa. Its bright colors and cheerful calls have given rise to many traditional stories.
Some believe seeing the bird brings good fortune. This cultural significance makes it a symbol of joy. Visitors often learn these stories when they see the birds in exhibits.
12. Bright Yellow Beak with Red Tip
Its beak is shining bright yellow with a bold red tip. This colorful beak is not only useful for eating fruits but also adds to its beauty. The unique combination of colors makes it look artistic.
Many people describe it as a bird with a natural “make-up.” This beak is one of the main reasons it is loved in bird photography.
13. A Long Lifespan in Care
The Great Blue Turaco may live around 15 years in the wild. It can reach over 20 years under human care. They can live longer with a good diet, protection, and medical care in zoos.
This makes them a long-term companion in aviaries. Many zoos value them for their long lifespan. Visitors often return to see the same bird.
14. Rarely Found Outside Africa
The Great Blue Turaco is native to central and western Africa, and it is very rare to see it in the wild outside its homeland. People mostly find it in special zoos and bird parks.
Its limited distribution makes it a unique bird to witness. Bird lovers travel far just to get a glimpse of it. This rarity adds to its charm and value.
Sightseeing of the Great Blue Turaco
The Great Blue Turaco is shown mostly in zoos rather than in the wild in the United States.
City, State
Location (Zoo or Aquarium)
New York, New York
Bronx Zoo
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Zoo
San Diego, California
San Diego Zoo
Houston, Texas
Houston Zoo (participates in aviculture, may hold Great Blue Turacos)
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville Zoo
Dallas, Texas
Dallas World Aquarium
San Antonio, Texas (again)
San Antonio Zoo (as confirmed)
Photography tips for Great Blue Turaco
Here are some tips to take a photo of these colourful birds when there is a chance.
- Visit accredited zoos or aviaries in the USA where Great Blue Turacos are kept, as they are not found in the wild.
- Use a zoom lens to capture their bright blue and green feathers without disturbing them.
- Shoot in natural daylight for sharp and vibrant photos of their unique colors.
- Focus on their crest and red-tipped tail for striking close-up shots.
- Be patient and wait for feeding time when the bird is more active and easier to photograph.
Final thought about Great Blue Turaco
The Great Blue Turaco is a beautiful bird. It also has unique habits, cultural value, and ecological importance. Its peaceful nature and its role in keeping forests alive make it stand out as a truly special species. Spotting one is a rare and unforgettable experience that leaves lasting memories.
FAQs
Q1: When did Louis Pierre Vieillot describe the great blue turaco as Musophaga cristata?
Louis Pierre Vieillot described the great blue turaco as Musophaga cristata in 1816.
Q2: How big is a great blue turaco?
The great blue turaco is usually 70–76 cm (28–30 inches) in length and weighs 0.8–1.2 kg (1.8–2.7 pounds).
Q3: What is the habitat of the great blue turaco?
Its habitat is the dense canopy of rainforests, swamp forests, and secondary growth areas throughout West and Central Africa, from Sierra Leone to Uganda.
Q4: What does the Great Blue Turaco symbolize?
They are considered a symbol of good luck or a messenger of the gods.
