The Red-crested Turaco (Tauraco erythrolophus) is a turaco, a group of African near-passerines. It is a fruit-eating bird endemic to western Angola. Its call sounds somewhat like a jungle monkey.

Distribution: It is a resident breeder in the dense forest area of Central Africa, found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Uganda, West Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, southern Sudan and Zaire.

Description: The Red-crested Turaco is a fairly large, colorful, long-tailed regal bird. It is easily identified by its vivid red crest, white face and yellow beak. Eyes are red and the beak is yellowish-green. Its plumage is overall green. They measure 19 – 20 in (47.5-50 cm) from beak to tip of tail and weigh around 210-325g. Although they are social among the species, they are shy and remained concealed among the branches and seldom come to ground, except for water or food.

Breeding: This turaco is monotypic (a genus consisting of only one species), but it forms a super-species with the morphologically similar Bannerman’s Turaco. Turacos live in large flocks of up to 30 individuals. They are monogamous in breeding. During courtship, the male turaco will feed the female. Together, they build their nest; mother and father take turns sitting on the eggs. Once the eggs have hatched, other flock members help the new mother care for the chicks.

These turacos reach sexual maturity at about 1 – 2 years. During courtship, the male feeds, flaps wings to show red coloration, raises his crest, and flips his tail feathers.

Hens lays two to three eggs in a loose nest made of twigs and some plant material around 3 or 5 meters above the ground. Both the male and female defend a territory and share with incubation duties. They incubate the eggs for 21 to 24 days, and the young fledge about 4 weeks after hatching.

Diet: Fruits,vegetables,greens,insects