Hartlaub's Turaco

Least Concern

Tauraco hartlaubi

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About

Hartlaub's Turaco is a striking, medium-sized bird endemic to the Afromontane forests of East Africa. Known for its vibrant green plumage, distinctive crest, and red flight feathers, it is a highly arboreal species that feeds primarily on fruits. Its loud, distinctive calls are a common sound in its forest habitat.

Size & lifespan

Length: 40-44 cm (16-17 in)
Wingspan: Approximately 50-55 cm (20-22 in)
Weight: 200-250 g (7.1-8.8 oz)
Lifespan: Up to 15-20 years in captivity, likely shorter in the wild.
Diet: Frugivore (primarily fruits, especially figs), supplemented with leaves, flowers, and small invertebrates.

Physical characteristics

Plumage: Predominantly iridescent dark green plumage, appearing almost black in poor light. The head features a prominent, erect, glossy blue-black crest tipped with white. A distinct white line runs from below the eye to the nape, and another white patch is present in front of the eye. The primary and secondary flight feathers are a brilliant crimson-red, visible in flight. The tail is dark blue-green.
Beak shape: Short, stout, and conical, bright red with a yellow tip.
Eye color: Dark brown, surrounded by a bare patch of red skin.
Leg color: Dark grey to black.
Distinguishing features: The combination of the glossy blue-black crest with a white tip, the white facial stripes, and the bright red beak with a yellow tip are key distinguishing features. The crimson flight feathers are diagnostic when the bird is in flight.
Juvenile appearance: Juveniles resemble adults but have a shorter, less developed crest, duller plumage, and a less vibrant beak color. The white facial markings may be less distinct.
Seasonal changes: No significant seasonal plumage changes are observed.
Sexual dimorphism: Males and females are monomorphic, appearing identical in plumage and size.

How to identify

1
Crest
Look for the distinctive glossy blue-black crest with a prominent white tip. This is a key field mark.
2
Facial Markings
Identify the clear white stripe running from below the eye to the nape, and the white patch in front of the eye.
3
Plumage Color
Note the iridescent dark green body plumage, which can appear almost black in shade but shines green in good light.
4
Bill Color
Observe the bright red bill with a yellow tip.
5
Flight Feathers
When in flight, the brilliant crimson-red primary and secondary flight feathers are unmistakable and diagnostic.
6
Vocalization
Listen for the loud, repetitive 'kow-kow-kow' calls, often given in duets.

Habitat & range

Biomes: Afromontane forests, moist evergreen forests, riverine forests, and dense woodlands.
Geographic range: Endemic to the East African Rift Valley, found in central Kenya (e.g., Aberdare Mountains, Mount Kenya, Mau Forest) and northern Tanzania (e.g., Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Ngorongoro Highlands).
Elevation range: Typically found at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,200 meters (4,900-10,500 ft).
Preferred environments: Prefers the canopy and sub-canopy layers of mature montane forests with a good supply of fruiting trees. Also found in forest edges and well-wooded gardens adjacent to natural forests.

Behavior

Activity time: Diurnal, most active during the early morning and late afternoon.
Feeding habits: Primarily arboreal, foraging in the canopy for fruits. They pluck fruits directly from branches, often hanging upside down to reach them. They are known to consume a wide variety of fruits, with figs (Ficus spp.) being a significant part of their diet. They also consume young leaves, flowers, and occasionally insects.
Social behavior: Typically seen in pairs or small family groups of 3-5 individuals. They are generally shy and secretive, often remaining hidden within the dense foliage, but can be quite vocal.
Flight pattern: Characterized by a distinctive, undulating flight pattern with rapid wing beats interspersed with glides. The brilliant red flight feathers are highly conspicuous during flight. They are not strong fliers and prefer to glide between trees or make short, direct flights.
Migration pattern: Resident and non-migratory throughout its range. They may undertake local movements in response to fruit availability.
Territoriality: Pairs or family groups maintain territories, which they defend through vocalizations and occasional chases.

Song & calls

Song: The primary call is a loud, distinctive, and far-carrying series of 'kow-kow-kow-kow' notes, often accelerating and rising in pitch, sometimes described as a 'go-away' call. It can be quite repetitive and is often given in duet by a pair.
Call: In addition to the 'kow' calls, they produce a variety of softer clucking, purring, and growling notes, especially when foraging or interacting within a group. Alarm calls are sharper and more urgent.
When they vocalize: Most vocal during the early morning and late afternoon, and often in response to other turacos or perceived threats.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season: Varies geographically, but generally coincides with the rainy seasons when fruit is abundant. In Kenya, breeding peaks from March to June and October to December.
Nesting habits: Nests are typically flimsy, shallow platforms of sticks and twigs, placed high in the canopy of a dense tree or bush, often well concealed by foliage. Both parents participate in nest construction.
Clutch size: 1-2 eggs.
Egg description: Usually 2 eggs, dull white or pale greenish-white, oval-shaped.
Incubation period: Approximately 20-22 days.
Fledging period: Chicks fledge around 28-35 days after hatching, but remain dependent on parents for several weeks.
Parental care: Both parents share incubation duties and care for the young. Chicks are altricial, born naked and helpless.

Where to find

National Parks and Reserves

Aberdare National Park, Mount Kenya National Park, Mau Forest, Kakamega Forest (though less common), and various montane forests in northern Tanzania (e.g., Arusha National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park).

Forest Edges and Well-wooded Gardens

Can sometimes be seen in gardens and cultivated areas adjacent to suitable forest habitat, especially where fruiting trees are present.

Field tips

Listen for calls. Their loud calls are often the first indication of their presence. Once heard, try to locate the source in the canopy.
Scan the canopy. They are arboreal and spend most of their time in the upper and middle canopy layers. Use binoculars to scan fruiting trees.
Look for movement. Despite their bright colors, they can be surprisingly cryptic in dense foliage. Look for subtle movements of branches or flashes of color.
Visit during fruiting season. Their presence is often tied to the availability of ripe fruits, especially figs. Inquire locally about peak fruiting times.
Be patient and quiet. They are shy birds. Patience and a quiet approach will increase your chances of a good sighting.

Similar species

Great Blue Turaco

Corythaeola cristata

Much larger, predominantly blue-grey plumage, with a large, shaggy crest and a yellow and red bill. Lacks the prominent white facial markings and red flight feathers of Hartlaub's Turaco.

Ross's Turaco

Musophaga rossae

Larger, predominantly glossy blue-purple plumage with a bright red crest and yellow facial wattles. Lacks the green body plumage and white facial stripes of Hartlaub's Turaco.

Livingstone's Turaco

Tauraco livingstonii

Found further south. While also green with a crest, Livingstone's Turaco has a much longer, more pointed green crest, and lacks the distinct blue-black crest with a white tip and the prominent white facial stripes of Hartlaub's Turaco. Its bill is also entirely red.

Quick facts

Diet:: Frugivore (mainly fruits)
Habitat:: Afromontane forests
Social Structure:: Pairs or small family groups
Flight:: Undulating with red flashes
Vocalization:: Loud 'kow-kow-kow' calls

Fun facts

The red pigment in their flight feathers, called turacin, is unique to turacos and contains copper. It is water-soluble, meaning the red color can literally wash out if the bird is stressed or unwell, though it is quickly replaced.
The green pigment, turacoverdin, is also unique to turacos and is one of the few true green pigments found in birds, unlike most green birds which achieve their color through structural coloration.
Despite their bright colors, they are remarkably well-camouflaged in the dappled light of the forest canopy.
Hartlaub's Turaco is named after Gustav Hartlaub, a German physician and ornithologist.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Musophagiformes
Family: Musophagidae
Genus: Tauraco
Species: Tauraco hartlaubi

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