26-11-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - GUINEA TURACO (Tauraco Persian)

The Guinea turaco ( Tauraco Persian ) or green turaco 2 is a species of Musophagiformes bird in the family Musophagidae that populates the tropical forests of equatorial Africa from Angola to Senegal .

The Guinea turaco is approximately 40–43 cm long, including a long tail. Weight can reach 225–290 g. The plumage is largely bright green and blue; and the tail and wings are dark purple, except for the crimson primary feathers which are very distinctive during flight. An erectile semicircular green crest is present on the head. There are white spots in the eyes and the eye ring is red. The beak is thick and red.

In the westernmost subspecies, (Tauraco persa buffoni), which is sometimes known as Buffon's turaco, there is a white line above the eye and a black line below. In the nominate subspecies (Tauraco persa persa) from the central part of its range and in the subspecies (Tauraca persa zenkeri) from the southeast there is also a second white line in the eye below the black line. This species lacks the white edge on the crest, unlike similar turacos with red beaks, which helps distinguish this species from another.

The Guinea turaco has an extremely large range and a stable population. It can be found in the forests of western and central Africa, ranging from eastern Senegal to the DR Congo and south to northern Angola.

This species mainly inhabits tropical forests up to 1,100 m in altitude . It can also venture into savannas and bushlands in some areas, although these are not its preferred biomes.

The Guinea turaco is a normally sedentary and territorial species that lives in pairs or small groups. It spends most of its time in the treetops foraging, resting and socializing. It descends to the ground on rare occasions, usually to feed or drink. It does not usually fly long distances and only uses flight to move between trees or branches, although it prefers to move by running and jumping between branches.

These birds feed on a wide variety of wild and cultivated tropical fruits but also flowers and buds, and sometimes insects.

The breeding season varies depending on the area but usually coincides with the rainy season. Guinea turacos are monogamous and both parents participate in incubating and rearing the chicks. They build nests in the upper part of trees and they are not very firm structures made with sticks and other plant matter. The female will lay two eggs that will incubate for around 20 days. The chicks are born with their eyes open and covered in brown down. They will remain for the first 2-3 weeks clumsily exploring the surroundings of the nest. At 4 or 5 weeks they will be able to fly and will leave the nest although they will continue under parental care.