The Colourful Turacos of Ghana – Where They Live and What They Eat
- Avian Lens
- Jun 18
- 6 min read
What is in this article?
Ghana’s rainforests are home to vibrant, social turacos, famously known as "flying jewels" for their neon green and crimson plumage. These birds possess unique copper-pigmented feathers and are characterised by dramatic crests and loud, acrobatic behaviour. Discover the fascinating world of Ghana's turacos, where to spot them, and why they captivate bird lovers worldwide.
What Makes Turacos Unique?
Endemic to Africa
Distinctive crests and colourful plumage
The rare pigments turacoverdin (green) and turacin (red)
Their role in seed dispersal and forest ecosystems
Their characteristic calls and movements through the forest canopy
Turacos of Ghana
1. Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata)
Identification:
Largest turaco species in Africa, Large blue-black crest, Bright yellow bill, Reddish facial skin around the eye, Deep blue and green plumage, Prominent chestnut-red wing feathers visible in flight, Long tail and heavy-bodied appearance, Loud, deep, far-carrying calls
Distribution in Ghana:
The Great Blue Turaco is found in the forested regions of southern Ghana, particularly within the Upper Guinea rainforest zone. It occurs in several protected areas and forest reserves where large tracts of forest remain intact, including Kakum National Park, Ankasa Conservation Area, and Bia National Park.
As a forest-dependent species, it is largely restricted to areas with continuous tree cover and is rarely found outside the country's tropical forest belt. Its presence is often an indicator of healthy, well-preserved forest ecosystems.
Habitat Preference:
The Great Blue Turaco is mainly a bird of tropical lowland and mid-elevation forests. In Ghana, it is most commonly found in undisturbed or lightly disturbed rainforest areas, especially where tall canopy trees are still intact.
It prefers:
Dense forest canopies
Mature secondary forests
Forest edges near rivers and swampy areas
Large forest reserves such as Kakum and Ankasa
Behaviour and Diet
Conservation Status
2. Yellow-billed Turaco (Tauraco macrorhynchus)
Identification:
It is a medium-sized turaco with predominantly bright green plumage, a long tail, and a prominent crest that can be raised when the bird is excited or alarmed. As its name suggests, its most distinctive feature is its bright yellow bill, which contrasts sharply with its green body.
The bird also has a crimson patch on its flight feathers, which becomes particularly visible when it flies. Around the eye is a patch of bare dark skin, while the crest is slightly darker than the rest of the body. Although similar in appearance to the Green Turaco, the Yellow-billed Turaco can be distinguished by its larger yellow bill and overall darker green colouration.
Key Identification Features
Bright green plumage
Prominent green crest
Large yellow bill
Long tail
Crimson-red flight feathers visible in flight
Dark bare skin around the eye
Loud, distinctive calls
Distribution in Ghana:
The Yellow-billed Turaco is found mainly in the forest zone of southern Ghana. Its distribution extends across the Upper Guinea rainforest belt, where it inhabits many of the country's remaining tropical forests.
Habitat Preference:
The Yellow-billed Turaco is strongly associated with tropical forests and spends most of its time in the canopy and sub-canopy layers.
It prefers:
Primary rainforest
Mature secondary forest
Forest edges
Gallery forests
Well-wooded habitats with abundant fruiting trees
Although it can tolerate some habitat disturbance, it is most common in areas where forest structure remains intact and food resources are plentiful.
Behaviour and Diet:
The Yellow-billed Turaco is primarily an arboreal species, rarely descending to the ground. It is usually observed alone, in pairs, or in small family groups moving quietly through the canopy.
Like many turacos, it relies heavily on climbing and hopping between branches rather than sustained flight.
The species is mainly frugivorous, feeding on a wide variety of fruits throughout the year. Its diet includes:
Forest fruits
Figs
Berries
Seeds
Flowers
Young leaves and buds
Conservation Status:
The Yellow-billed Turaco is currently classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its relatively wide distribution across West Africa.
3. Green Turaco (Tauraco persa)
Identification:
The Green Turaco, also known as the Guinea Turaco, is a medium-sized forest bird with bright green plumage, a long tail, and a prominent crest. It is very similar in appearance to the Yellow-billed Turaco, but can be distinguished by its smaller, more slender bill and the distinct white markings around the eye.
Like other turacos, it also has striking crimson-red flight feathers that are only visible when the bird takes flight. The overall appearance is a uniform bright green, giving it excellent camouflage in the forest canopy.
Key Identification Features
Bright green plumage
Prominent green crest
White markings around the eye
Long tail
Crimson-red flight feathers visible in flight
Slender yellowish bill
Loud, repetitive calls
Distribution in Ghana:
The Green Turaco is found in the forest zone of southern Ghana, where suitable tropical forest still exists. It occurs within the Upper Guinea rainforest belt and can be seen in several forest reserves and protected areas.
Habitat Preference:
This species is strongly associated with moist tropical forests and is most often found in the upper canopy.
It prefers:
Primary rainforest
Mature secondary forest
Forest edges
Riverine and gallery forests
Well-wooded areas with fruiting trees
Although it can tolerate some habitat disturbance, it is more commonly found in relatively intact forests compared to open or heavily degraded areas.
Behaviour and Diet:
The Green Turaco is also an arboreal species that spends most of its time in the canopy. It is usually seen alone, in pairs, or in small family groups moving quietly through the trees.
Like the Yellow-billed Turaco, it is mainly fruit-eating and relies heavily on forest fruits for survival. It feeds on a wide variety of fruits, especially figs, and may also take flowers, buds, and young leaves when available.
Conservation Status:
The Green Turaco is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, like many forest-dependent species in Ghana, it is affected by deforestation and habitat fragmentation, which continue to reduce suitable forest areas.
4. Violet Turaco (Musophaga violacea)
Identification:
The Violet Turaco is one of Ghana's most colourful birds and is easily distinguished from the green turacos. Instead of the predominantly green plumage seen in the Yellow-billed and Green Turacos, the Violet Turaco has a striking combination of deep violet-blue body feathers, a bright crimson crest, and a yellow bill.
Its crimson-red flight feathers become highly visible in flight, creating a spectacular flash of colour. The bird's vibrant appearance makes it one of the most easily recognized turacos in West Africa.
Key Identification Features
Deep violet-blue plumage
Bright crimson crest
Yellow bill
Long tail
Crimson-red flight feathers visible in flight
Distinctive loud calls
Distribution in Ghana:
Unlike the Yellow-billed and Green Turacos, which are mainly associated with the southern forest zone, the Violet Turaco has a wider distribution across Ghana. It can be found in both forest and savannah regions, making it one of the country's most widespread turaco species.
Habitat Preference:
The Violet Turaco is highly adaptable and occupies a variety of habitats.
It prefers:
Woodland savannah
Gallery forests
Forest edges
Riverine vegetation
Well-wooded farmlands and parks
Its ability to thrive in different habitats has contributed to its wide distribution across West Africa.
Behaviour and Diet:
The Violet Turaco is usually seen in pairs or small groups moving through the canopy in search of food. It is an active bird that often announces its presence with loud, far-carrying calls.
Like other turacos, it is mainly frugivorous and feeds on a variety of fruits throughout the year. Its diet also includes:
Figs
Berries
Flowers
Young leaves
Buds
Conservation Status:
The Violet Turaco is currently classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its large range and stable population. However, habitat loss and the clearing of woodland areas may affect local populations in some parts of its range.
Where to See Turacos in Ghana
Kakum National Park
Atewa Forest
Ankasa Conservation Area
Bobiri Forest Reserve
Mole National Park
Legon botanical gardens
Achimota forest
Mostly reserves with closed canopies
Threats Facing Turacos in Ghana
Deforestation
Illegal logging
Agricultural expansion
Habitat fragmentation
Mining activities
