Guinea Turaco

Tauraco persa

Range: Western Africa

Habitat:  Tropical montane forests and riparian forests above 1500 meters

Nzara: Nzara means precious in the Sango language. She was hatched at another educational facility before coming to Turtle Bay Exploration Park in November 2023. You may see her in the Parrot Playhouse alongside the Lorikeets.

Fun Facts: 

·   Turacos are related to cuckoos and road runners.

·   Turacos are the only bird with true pigment in their feathers that is created from a copper substance in their body. The green we see is called turacoverdin, and the red color is called turacin.

·   When immersed in water for 2-3 days, a red feather will leach the pigment and turn the water pink.

·   The outer toe on a Turaco’s foot rotates, allowing them to easily run across tree branches or to grip a perch.   

·   Turaco are often called “go-away birds” because of the sound of their calls.

·   Turacos are monogamous birds and will keep the same mate throughout their life.

·   Turacos can eat poisonous berries without ill effect, helping spread the seeds and replant the forest.