Fun Great Blue Turaco Facts For Kids

The turaco group is a group of Old World tree-dwelling birds consisting of several species. The great blue turaco is the largest species among all the other turaco birds and one of the most unique and brilliantly colored birds of the turaco family. They are the largest species among all the other turaco birds. Found abundantly throughout its range, this species is endemic to Africa. Their population is not threatened by any issue as of yet and therefore, it is considered as one of the least concerned species of Africa.

Many bird watchers travel to forests in Africa every year to get a sight of this beautiful bird. The bright blue body feathers among the dull and mundane forest trees look extremely pleasant. They have a red color at the tip of their yellow bill and a colorful crest crown at the top of their head which makes them unique and special. The birds are also hunted across their range as they form a delicious food source for many.

To know more interesting facts about the bird, continue reading these facts. For more relatable content, check out these summer tanager facts and bowerbird facts for kids.

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What type of animal is a great blue turaco?

A great blue turaco (Corythaeola cristata) is a type of bird.

What class of animal does a great blue turaco belong to?

The great blue turaco of the Musophagiformes order and Musophagidae family belongs to the class Aves.

How many great blue turacos are there in the world?

The global population of great blue turacos is unknown although they have the highest population among all species of turacos. They are more or less found commonly throughout their range and the overall trend of their population is believed to be stable. Although they are hunted for their meat and feathers, there is no evidence of local declines in their population. Their survival is largely dependent on trees, so if human activities of logging and deforestation are not checked, it might have a toll on their population.    

Where does a great blue turaco live?

The great blue turaco is a native bird of equatorial Africa and they are distributed across a vast stretch of land. They are found in the sub-Saharan part of Africa mainly in western and central parts. The great blue turaco range in the western part extends from Guinea, and the east Ivory coast, to Liberia and Nigeria. They are also found in Cameroon, the Congo, north Angola, northwest Kenya, South Sudan, and Burundi. In Uganda, they are considered to be one of the country's top 10 birds.    

What is a great blue turaco's habitat?

The great blue turaco lives in equatorial and tropical parts of Africa. They are lowland birds that usually inhabit the canopy of the forest as well as dense gallery forest habitats, where they are protected from any other invasive animal. These birds are climbers rather than flyers, so any tall tree is a popular choice for them to roost. Adults also make their nests in tall trees.

Who do great blue turacos live with?

Great blue turacos are highly gregarious birds. Although solitary individuals do exist, this is very rare. They generally stay and forage in flocks of at least six to seven individuals. They sometimes join with other groups while foraging in different trees in search of fruits and flowers and return to their own tree at night.

How long does a great blue turaco live?

These members of the turaco family are believed to live a long life in captivity. They can live up to 30 years of age as pets.

How do they reproduce?

The breeding season of great blue turacos varies according to their place of origin. However, in most places, breeding behaviors start prior to the rainy season. These birds indulge in several courtship displays in their nests, like flaunting their crest and bright body colors to attract their partner and feeding each other in the breeding nest. Flicking their long tail is also part of their courtship display. They are monogamous in nature. Females lay two eggs per clutch and the eggs are incubated by both parents. The chicks emerge after an incubation period of 29-31 days.  

What is their conservation status?

The great blue turaco (Corythaeola cristata) is listed as a species of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. This turaco species is not threatened globally, rather they are widespread in their areas of occurrence. Their stable population and large range prevent them from approaching the threshold of becoming vulnerable animals. However, in some parts of Nigeria, relentless deforestation and destruction of their nests have depleted their population greatly, although this depletion has not affected their abundant population on a larger scale. For this reason, they are evaluated to be a species of Least Concern.

What do great blue turacos look like?

The great blue turaco is the largest bird among all species of turaco with a broad and long tail. Adults have a bright turquoise blue plumage in the upper part and yellow underparts. The tail ends with a subterminal black band but there are no red flight feathers in the wings, unlike other turacos. The wings of this bird are comparatively smaller in length in accordance with their body size. As a result, these round and small wings cannot assist them much in flying. On the top of the head, there is a blue-black crest.

How cute are they?

Like peach-faced lovebirds, great blue turacos are very beautiful in their adult plumage. They are often used as show birds and kept in zoos because of their attractive appearance.

How do they communicate?

Great blue turacos mainly communicate by vocalizations and their specific calls.

How big is a great blue turaco?

The length of a great blue turaco (Corythaeola cristata) ranges between 27.6–30 in (70-76 cm). They are much longer than ani birds.

How fast can a great blue turaco fly?

The great blue turaco is not able to fly properly. They mainly glide from one tree to another and reach lower branches in this way. From there they climb the branches to get to the top.

How much does a great blue turaco weigh?

The average weight of great blue turacos ranges between 1.8-2.1 lb (816.5-949 g). Frigates are bulkier than them.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male and female birds of this species are referred to as a 'cock' and 'hen' respectively.

What would you call a baby great blue turaco?

A baby great blue turaco is called a chick.

What do they eat?

Great blue turacos have a herbivorous diet. They mainly feed on fruits but their diet also consists of other plant matters like leaves, buds, flowers, and shoot.

Are they dangerous?

No, they are not dangerous just like flame bowerbirds.

Would they make a good pet?

Turacos have a shy and timid nature. They can be tamed very easily by humans and have the ability to become extremely docile with people.

Did you know...

The great blue turaco bird has a fourth toe on its leg which can rotate and helps this bird in better gripping of tree branches.

What sounds do great blue turacos make?

The bird calls mainly during dawn or dusk either making a deep and resonant 'ko-kok' trill or sometimes by making a softer 'rou-ou' sound.

Are great blue turacos good for luck?

Their tail feathers are associated with a belief of bringing good luck and they are used to make good luck charms.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our black-capped gnatcatcher interesting facts and belted kingfisher fun facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable great blue Turaco coloring pages.