Ross's Turaco vs Red-crested Turaco
Musophaga rossae compared with Tauraco erythrolophus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ross's Turaco | Red-crested Turaco |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Musophaga rossae | Tauraco erythrolophus |
| Order | Musophagiformes | Musophagiformes |
| Family | Musophagidae | Musophagidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 44.9 cm (17.7 in) | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) |
| Weight | 396.1666666666667 g (13.97 oz) | 267.5 g (9.44 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on figs, berries, and forest fruits in Central Africa. Supplements with flowers and occasional … | Feeds on forest fruits, figs, and berries in Angolan forest canopy. Supplements diet with flowers … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Ross's Turaco
Loud, melodic call with musical quality; rich harmonious notes with yellow-billed clarity carrying through forest.
Red-crested Turaco
Loud, musical call with resonant carrying quality; rich melodic notes echoing through dense West African forest.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ross's Turaco
Found in tropical forests across Central and East Africa from Cameroon to Kenya. Resident in forest canopy.
Red-crested Turaco
Found in open woodland and forest edges of Angola and adjacent areas. An Angolan near-endemic.
Conservation Status
Ross's Turaco
Red-crested Turaco
How to Tell Them Apart
Ross's Turaco
Large Green-billed Malkoha: green above; pale buff below; large green bill; bare red facial skin; long green-glossed tail; large size
Red-crested Turaco
Scale-feathered Malkoha: scaly-patterned feathers; dark green above; buff below; bare red orbital skin; long dark tail; scaled texture
About These Birds
Ross's Turaco
A large turaco (50-54 cm) found in tropical forests across Central and East Africa. Deep violet-blue plumage with a bright crimson crest and crimson flight feathers. Yellow face and bill. Frugivore of forest canopy. Named after Sir John Ross, the Arctic explorer.
Red-crested Turaco
A medium-sized turaco (43-47 cm) found in open woodland and forest edges of Angola and adjacent areas. Green plumage with a prominent red crest tipped white. Crimson wing patches. Frugivore of woodland and forest edge trees. An Angolan near-endemic.