White-faced turaco

The green and red pigments of their feathers are unique in the animal kingdom.

A non-migratory bird native to Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea.

It has two natural pigments in its feathers, green and red, which are not found in any other member of the animal kingdom. They have a dark crest on their head, which can bristle at will, and sport two white markings on their cheeks, hence their name. Its song or call sounds like the screech of a monkey.

It lives in groups of five to ten individuals in forests and savannahs. Pairs are monogamous and build unstable nests at high altitudes. The female lays 2 eggs which she incubates for 22 - 23 days. Both the male and female share the job of caring for the young.

It is an arboreal species that spends most of the day foraging in the trees and only descends to the ground to drink. It uses flight to move to a nearby tree or branch, but avoids long-distance flights.

Threats include habitat destruction and illegal trade in the species.

Conservation status

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated