Red-crested Turaco
Tauraco erythrolophus
A long-tailed, bulky greenish turaco with a yellow bill, a red crest (sometimes tipped white) extending down the nape, and a whitish face. In flight, it explodes from the canopy, showing distinctive deep red panels in the wings. Pairs or small groups bounce agilely through gallery forest canopies and the edge of Miombo woodland. Angolan endemic and national bird that is restricted to the escarpment. Presence often revealed by its song, which lasts about 10 seconds: a whooping “hooooah” followed by 7–10 harsh croaking repeated “khaaar” notes; higher-pitched than songs of most other turacos. It is the only turaco within its range with a red crest.
Identification
The red-crested turaco weighs 210-325 g and is 45–50 cm long. It looks similar to the Bannerman's turaco, but differs in crest and face colors. Both sexes are similar.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tauraco erythrolophus
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1819)
- Order
- Musophagiformes
- Family
- Musophagidae
- Genus
- Tauraco
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
They are seen in flocks of up to 30 birds, or in pairs. They usually remain in trees, only coming down to eat or drink.Their diet consists of insects, fruits, nuts, leaves, flowers, seeds, acacia, and figs. They are even able to eat berries that are poisonous to humans.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Eastern Spot-billed Duck
Anas zonorhyncha
Common large duck of lakes, ponds, wet fields, and estuaries. Dark brown overall, with a pale head marked by a whitish eyebrow and two black stripes on the face. Namesake yellow bill spot is visible even from a good distance. White underwings contrast strongly with dark body in flight. Highly adaptable and quite tame, foraging in city parks and small ponds close to human settlements.
Solomons Brush Cuckoo
Cacomantis addendus
A medium-sized cuckoo, with a warm buff to chestnut colored chest and belly. Gray eyering and heavily barred tail. Lack of a yellow eyering separates it from Fan-tailed Cuckoo (which is rare in the Solomons). Most frequently encountered by its song, a slow series of well spaced whistles, each lower than the last.
Beach Thick-knee
Esacus magnirostris
Large shorebird with an enormous chunky beak, black-and-white-marked face, white stripes on the shoulder, and long and sturdy legs. Unlikely to be encountered anywhere except coastal areas, particularly beaches, reefs, and estuaries; very unusual even a few hundred meters inland from these habitats. Heavy human activity on beaches in certain areas has confined them to small offshore islands. Often calls at night, giving high-pitched piping and whistling notes.
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