Gallirex porphyreolophus
The Purple-crested Turaco is a bird of forests and dense woodland, where they subsist on a diet of fruit, berries and buds foraged high up in the tree tops. They’re also increasingly being seen in well planted suburban parks and gardens within their range. They are rather large birds, weighing around 300g and measuring about 42cm long, and despite this moves very nimbly through the forest canopy. Though not necessarily shy and retiring birds they are usually rather difficult to discern in the darkness of their preferred habitat, and their characteristically turaco call is often the first indication of their presence in an area.
Normally seen singly or in pairs, and only occasionally in groups of up to six, adult Purple-crested Turacos form monogamous, territorial pairs. They build flimsy platform-nests using twigs and sticks, laying clutches of 2-4 eggs in spring and summer. Both parents incubate the eggs over a 3 week period and both bring food to the chicks, which fledge at about 5 to 6 weeks of age.
The Purple-crested Turaco is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN though loss of habitat may be causing a decline in their numbers. They occur from Uganda and Kenya, through Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to South Africa (Escarpment and Lowveld of Limpopo and Mpumalanga as well as Kwazulu-Natal) and eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), of which it is the national bird.
The Kumasinga Hide in uMkhuze Game Reserve is an excellent location to see this beautiful bird.
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Lovely birds – I think there is something somehow prehistoric in their profiles.
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You’re so right, Carol – they are very reminiscent of the Archaeopteryx, and even more so when you see them scrambling through the branches!
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Thanks – I have just looked up the Archaeopteryx and I see what you mean.
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He’s a beauty!! Even from the photos I can tell he’s a big one. It reminds me of a miniature peacock without the grand tail plumage.
I like it when you include a sound recording. It brings the bird to life for those of us who have never seen – or even heard of – one.
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Thanks so much, Joanne! Their call is so evocative of happy days in the bush that I just had to include it.
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What a stunning bird! New to me. Thanks for these photos.
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Glad we could introduce you to our Purple-crested Turaco, Anne!
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Pragtig soos altyd!
Jy is mos die kenner … ons het twee duiwe wat dit en broei op sulke kleinnessies wat die eiers skaars daarin pas Gaan die kleintjies nie uitval nie? Dis net ‘n paar stokkies wat skaars ‘n nes genoem kan word. Moet dit so wees?
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Baie dankie Tina
Ja, duiwe is hopelose nesbouers en die paar stokkies is uit-en-uit hulle styl. Maar as mens kyk hoe baie duiwe rondom ons is, dan werk dit seker vir hulle!
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Ek het dit regtig nie geweet nie maar sien dit met my eie oë Ek hoop net nie ek beleef die uitval nie. Dankie!
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Ek hou duim vas dat hul niks sal oorkom nie!
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Ons het 59mm reën gehad maar hulle sit dapper
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Dit is alles baie goeie nuus, Tina!
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You have some beautifully clear photographs of this very pretty bird.
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Thank you very much, Anne!
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What a pretty bird! I love the last shot especially 🙂
I hope you and your family are doing well!
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Thanks Takami!
We’re having a lovely weekend and I hope you can say the same?
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Thank you, Dries! We are having a peaceful weekend too 🙂
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Pretty bird!
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Oh they absolutely are, Lois.
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That’s an impressive topper! But the red-circled eye is what caught my eye. Looks like a late night on the town last night. 🙂
janet
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That’s a cute description, thanks Janet!
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What an amazing bird. Well spotted.
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They’re beautiful, Tracy, and lovely to watch as the scamper through the fruiting trees.
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Good looking bird! With a spartan crest (Ancient spartan helmet with crest) He must be a tough bird. Good captures. 🙂
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Thank you H.J. Indeed, you’ll seldom seen any other birds trying to mess with a Turaco!
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That’s quite an impressive crest he’s sporting. I’m amazed at how such large birds can be well supported by flimsy twig nests. 😅
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I suppose having hollow bones make all the difference! 😀
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