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Difference between revisions of "Knysna Turaco" - BirdForum Opus

(changed out photo, added detailed portrait)
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;[[:Category:Tauraco|Tauraco]] corythaix
 
;[[:Category:Tauraco|Tauraco]] corythaix
[[Image:Knysna_Turaco.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Alison Jane <br/>Photo taken: Tsitsikamma Forest, Storms River, South Africa ]]
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[[Image:Knysna Turaco 2.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|megan+perkins|megan perkins}}<br/>Kingfisher Country Lodge, Wilderness, [[South Africa]], March 2009]]
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
 
Length 40-47 cm, mass 280-350 g.
 
Length 40-47 cm, mass 280-350 g.
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'''Adult''': The red bill is short with a decurved upper mandible. The eye is brown with deep red eye ring, and is underlined with a white stripe.  It has a dark blue-green tail and the wing coverts.  The primary flight feathers are bright red, conspicuous in flight, but difficult to see on the folded wing. It has a tall, rounded crest, which is green, tipped white.
 
'''Adult''': The red bill is short with a decurved upper mandible. The eye is brown with deep red eye ring, and is underlined with a white stripe.  It has a dark blue-green tail and the wing coverts.  The primary flight feathers are bright red, conspicuous in flight, but difficult to see on the folded wing. It has a tall, rounded crest, which is green, tipped white.
  
The call is a harsh, deep barking 'woop, woop, woop, korr, korr, korr, korr, korr, korr, .....' (up to 14 notes).
 
 
====Similar Species====
 
====Similar Species====
 
Similar to [[Livingstone's Turaco]], which has a taller, pointed crest.
 
Similar to [[Livingstone's Turaco]], which has a taller, pointed crest.
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
 
Southern and eastern [[South Africa]] and northern [[Swaziland]].
 
Southern and eastern [[South Africa]] and northern [[Swaziland]].
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[[Image:Knysna turaco portrait.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Photo by {{user|megan+perkins|megan perkins}}<br/>Kingfisher Country Lodge, Wilderness, [[South Africa]], March 2009]]
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
The Knysna Turaco, [[Livingstone's Turaco]] and [[Schalow's Turaco]] (the green ''Turacos'' of southern Africa) were previously regarded as conspecific. However, their treatment as separate species is supported by morphological, vocal and molecular evidence.
 
The Knysna Turaco, [[Livingstone's Turaco]] and [[Schalow's Turaco]] (the green ''Turacos'' of southern Africa) were previously regarded as conspecific. However, their treatment as separate species is supported by morphological, vocal and molecular evidence.
  
 
''Tauraco corythaix'' has two subspecies:
 
''Tauraco corythaix'' has two subspecies:
*''T. c. corythaix'' is from southern and south-eastern [[South Africa]]; and
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*''T. c. corythaix'' is from southern and south-eastern [[South Africa]]  
 
*''T. c. phoebus'' from north-western [[Swaziland]] and north-eastern [[South Africa]], which is a more intense dark blue gloss on the wings and back.
 
*''T. c. phoebus'' from north-western [[Swaziland]] and north-eastern [[South Africa]], which is a more intense dark blue gloss on the wings and back.
  
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Forests
 
Forests
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
It feeds on fruit, insects and earthworms.  
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*It feeds on fruit, insects and earthworms.  
 
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*Its nest is a platform placed in leafy trees or dense creepers. One to three eggs are laid May to February.
Its nest is a platform placed in leafy trees or dense creepers. One to three eggs are laid May to February.
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*The call is a harsh, deep barking ''woop, woop, woop, korr, korr, korr, korr, korr, korr, .....'' (up to 14 notes).
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
Claassens A & Marais E. 2008. Species information page - Knysna Turaco (Lourie). SASOL Bird e-Guide. [http://www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide/book/species_info.php?id=88 www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide]. Downloaded 25 January 2008.
 
Claassens A & Marais E. 2008. Species information page - Knysna Turaco (Lourie). SASOL Bird e-Guide. [http://www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide/book/species_info.php?id=88 www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide]. Downloaded 25 January 2008.

Revision as of 17:00, 18 July 2009

Tauraco corythaix
Photo by megan perkins
Kingfisher Country Lodge, Wilderness, South Africa, March 2009

Identification

Length 40-47 cm, mass 280-350 g.

Adult: The red bill is short with a decurved upper mandible. The eye is brown with deep red eye ring, and is underlined with a white stripe. It has a dark blue-green tail and the wing coverts. The primary flight feathers are bright red, conspicuous in flight, but difficult to see on the folded wing. It has a tall, rounded crest, which is green, tipped white.

Similar Species

Similar to Livingstone's Turaco, which has a taller, pointed crest.

Distribution

Southern and eastern South Africa and northern Swaziland.

Photo by megan perkins
Kingfisher Country Lodge, Wilderness, South Africa, March 2009

Taxonomy

The Knysna Turaco, Livingstone's Turaco and Schalow's Turaco (the green Turacos of southern Africa) were previously regarded as conspecific. However, their treatment as separate species is supported by morphological, vocal and molecular evidence.

Tauraco corythaix has two subspecies:

  • T. c. corythaix is from southern and south-eastern South Africa
  • T. c. phoebus from north-western Swaziland and north-eastern South Africa, which is a more intense dark blue gloss on the wings and back.

Habitat

Forests

Behaviour

  • It feeds on fruit, insects and earthworms.
  • Its nest is a platform placed in leafy trees or dense creepers. One to three eggs are laid May to February.
  • The call is a harsh, deep barking woop, woop, woop, korr, korr, korr, korr, korr, korr, ..... (up to 14 notes).

References

Claassens A & Marais E. 2008. Species information page - Knysna Turaco (Lourie). SASOL Bird e-Guide. www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide. Downloaded 25 January 2008.

Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533

External Links

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