Schalow's Turaco

The Schalow's turaco, known scientifically as Tauraco schalowi, is a striking bird with a weight just over half a pound (270g) and a length of 15 to 17 inches. Its plumage is a captivating coppery-jade green, transitioning to a dark iridescent blue towards the tail. The species boasts a long white-tipped crest, a small red beak, and red skin encircling its dark eyes, which are framed by white feathers. Among turacos, mature individuals of this species have the longest crests on average. Their wings are short and rounded, equipped with red flight feathers adapted for short bursts of flight.

Identification Tips

When identifying Schalow's turaco, look for the long white-tipped crest and the red beak, which are distinctive features. The red flight feathers are also a key identifier, particularly visible during flight. The bird's overall green coloration with blue towards the tail can help distinguish it from similar species.

Habitat

Schalow's turaco inhabits the forested uplands and wooded inland plateaus of south-central Africa. It is often found in riparian zones along the Zambezi and Cuando Rivers and is known to frequent the uplands of southern Kenya, northern and western Tanzania, and western Malawi.

Distribution

This bird is primarily distributed across Zambia, central Angola, and the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is also present, though more locally, in Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Behaviour

Schalow's turaco is a social bird, often seen feeding in large flocks. Outside of nesting periods, they maintain their sociable nature. They are territorial when it comes to their nesting sites, where solitary monogamous pairs will nest and care for their offspring.

Breeding

The breeding behavior of Schalow's turaco involves shared incubation duties between the pair, lasting 20 to 22 days. They typically lay two eggs in a platform nest high in the forest canopy. Chicks are able to climb out of the nest within 2 to 3 weeks and commence flying a week or two thereafter.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of Schalow's turaco is predominantly frugivorous, consisting mainly of fruit and other plant matter. As chicks, they consume a more insect-based diet.

Conservation status

The Schalow's turaco is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or habitat loss at a scale that would threaten its survival.