Where does the Hartlaub's Turaco live?
Tauraco hartlaubi
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Open the appThe Hartlaub's Turaco lives in specific habitats and regions. Knowing where, and when, to look improves your chances of a successful sighting.
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).
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.
Elevation range
Typically found at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,200 meters (4,900-10,500 ft).
Where to look
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.
Migration
Resident and non-migratory throughout its range. They may undertake local movements in response to fruit availability.
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