What to Know About the Black-billed Turaco in Uganda?

The black-billed turaco is a medium-sized turaco, an endemic family to sub-Saharan Africa. It is a resident breeder in the forests, found in Bwindi impenetrable forest National park-Uganda.

How Does the Black-billed Turaco in Uganda Look Like?

Generally similar in appearance to the Knysna Turaco, except for the black bill. The sub-species vary quite markedly in the color of the wing coverts, secondary flight feathers and tail feathers.

In this respect, the feathers of the T.s. shuettii is iridescent purple, whilst those of the T.s. emini is iridescent green.

Both sub-species are distinct within their respective ranges, but the definitions blur once both come together.

The length of the Black-billed Turaco is generally about 40cm from beak to tail. The weight of specimens varies considerably between 199-272 grams.

Black-billed Turacos are typically fruit-eaters, living in assorted forest habitats between 500 and 2800m.

How Does the Black-billed Turaco in Uganda Sing and Make Calls?

Its call is a resonant “kwah khaw kwah”.

How Does the Black-billed Turaco in Uganda Feed?

The black-billed Turaco feeds primarily on fruits from numerous plants’ species, but it also takes buds, shoots, leaves and flowers, and occasionally some insects.

It feeds on leaves all day round, and especially in the evening. The chicks are fed with regurgitated leaves.

They often forage in small flocks and several birds often gather at fruiting trees. Except during the hottest hours of the day, they start to feed at dawn and throughout the day to the dusk.

At the end of the day, each group reaches its usual night perches.

How Does the Black-billed Turaco in Uganda Nest?

Both adults build a platform with a shallow rim, made with dry sticks. The nest is placed in tall leafy tree, often over water.

How Does the Black-billed Turaco in Uganda Reproduce?

The hen lays two eggs in a platform of twigs around 3 or 5 meters above the ground. Both the male and female defend a territory and share with incubation duties.