Ross's Turaco vs Black-billed Turaco

Musophaga rossae compared with Tauraco schuettii

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Ross's Turaco Black-billed Turaco
Scientific Name Musophaga rossae Tauraco schuettii
Order Musophagiformes Musophagiformes
Family Musophagidae Musophagidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 44.9 cm (17.7 in) 33.3 cm (13.1 in)
Weight 396.1666666666667 g (13.97 oz) 238.25 g (8.40 oz)
Diet Feeds on figs, berries, and forest fruits in Central Africa. Supplements with flowers and occasional … Frugivore feeding on figs, berries, and drupes in forest canopy. Occasionally takes flowers, leaves, and …
Clutch Size 1-2 2
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Ross's Turaco only

None

Black-billed Turaco only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Ross's Turaco

Song

Loud, melodic call with musical quality; rich harmonious notes with yellow-billed clarity carrying through forest.

Black-billed Turaco

Song

Loud, far-carrying musical call; rich resonant notes with clear quality echoing through highland East 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.

Black-billed Turaco

Found in lowland forests of Central Africa from Cameroon to Uganda and DRC. Resident in primary forest.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Ross's Turaco

Least Concern

Black-billed Turaco

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.

Black-billed Turaco

A medium-sized turaco (40-42 cm) found in lowland forests of Central Africa from Cameroon to Uganda. Glossy blue-black plumage with green body, white face markings, and crimson wing patches. Frugivore of primary forest canopy. Named after the German ornithologist Moritz Schütt.

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