What to Know About the Ross`s Turaco in Uganda?

The Ross’s Turaco in Uganda is one of the African birds in Uganda seen during Uganda birding safaris. It is monotypic but is considered to form a super-species with M.violacea. Fragmented populations are not considered speciated.

As a species, Ross’s Turaco is even larger than the Violaceous. The second largest of all Turaco species, Ross’s typically measures between 51 and 54 cm, and weighs between 390 and 444 grams.

Ross’s Turaco inhabits woodlands from sea level to 2500m.

How Does the Ross’s Turaco in Uganda Look Like?

The second largest of all turaco species, even larger than the Violet Turaco.   Differentiations from the Violet Turaco include the impressive red erectile crest, yellow lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird’s head), and a yellow beak which stretches posteriorly to form a forehead shield.

The yellow coloring continues, to form a periopthalmic ring. Its body is a violet blue-black color, and the legs and feet are black.

The sexes are alike so these birds should be surgically sexed or have DNA feather testing performed.

How Does the Ross’s Turaco in Uganda Sing and Make Calls?

Continuous, throaty somewhat monkey-like sound containing a regular beat. They are sometimes referred to as Go-Away birds due to their distinctive calls – (“g-way”).

How Does the Ross’s Turaco in Uganda Feed?

These birds are largely frugivorous, consuming mostly the fruits, flowers, and seeds of both wild and cultivated plants.

They are known for being one of the biggest seed spreaders in the region. They will also eat small insects like termites and snails; especially around brooding season.

Their genus name (Musophagidae) actually means “plantain eater” which is a misnomer, because they rarely gravitate to banana or plantain trees.

They actually prefer figs over most things. Due to their opportunistic feeding style, they are considered pests in most areas because they can easily destroy crops and gardens.

How Does the Ross’s Turaco in Uganda Nest?

Both males and females build platforms nest using twigs in an isolated tree up to 52 feet above the ground.

How Does the Ross`s Turaco in Uganda Breed?

Ross’s turaco form monogamous breeding pairs that share incubation and feeding duties.

How Does the Ross`s Turaco in Uganda Reproduce?

They lay 2 to 3 eggs which hatch after roughly 25 days. They then spend another 4 to 7 weeks nesting with their parents before they fledge.

Strangely, they become mostly independent before they can fly, opting to climb about in the canopy of the forest.

They reach sexual maturity after one year of age and remain near their parents in extended family flocks of up to thirty individuals.

Flock members often assist in raising other flock members chicks, especially when the female is a first-time mother.

These birds are known to become more territorial around brooding season, especially with predatory or unfamiliar birds.