Photo: Brian / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-crested Turaco
Tauraco leucolophus
White-crested Turaco (Tauraco leucolophus) — Cuckoos & Turacos of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-crested Turaco (Tauraco leucolophus) is a member of the Musophagidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 219 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Musophagiformes
- Family Musophagidae Turacos
- Genus Tauraco
- Species leucolophus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 219 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Musophagidae
- Order
- Musophagiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-crested Turaco is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The White-crested Turaco is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-crested Turaco (Tauraco leucolophus) is a species of bird in the Musophagidae family, part of the order Musophagiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Nigeria and Cameroon to South Sudan and w Kenya.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 219 g, with a wing length of about 17.3 cm and a tail of around 17.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.4 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-crested Turaco?
The White-crested Turaco is a large bird that weighs around 219 g.
Where does the White-crested Turaco live?
The White-crested Turaco is found across Africa with a range covering AF Nigeria and Cameroon to South Sudan and w Kenya, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-crested Turaco belong to?
The White-crested Turaco (Tauraco leucolophus) belongs to the Musophagidae family, in the order Musophagiformes.
What does the White-crested Turaco eat?
The White-crested Turaco is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the White-crested Turaco migrate?
The White-crested Turaco is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-crested Turaco endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the White-crested Turaco make?
1 real field recording of the White-crested Turaco — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-crested Turaco's range?
The White-crested Turaco has a mapped global range of about 1.4 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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