The plumage of the white-faced tauraco is remarkable for its colouring and distinctive patterns. Its head and neck are bright white, while its back and wings are emerald green. In addition, it has a black stripe on the upper breast and a red throat patch. The tail feathers are long and pointed, with a dark blue hue. Overall, its appearance is striking and attractive.
10 years
200-315 gr
43 cm
The species is relatively secure in the wild and faces no immediate risk of extinction.
The breeding season starts between July and November (earlier than April in Eritrea). It builds nests of twigs high up in trees, where the female lays two eggs that both parents incubate for about twenty days. The chicks hatch with brown down and open eyes.
It is an arboreal bird that spends most of the day foraging in trees. It uses flight to move to nearby branches and avoids long-distance flights. It lives in pairs or small groups.
The White-faced Turaco hybridises with Ruspoli's Turaco in areas where their ranges overlap, raising concerns about the conservation of the latter species, which is at risk of extinction.
Its diet is mainly based on fruits and berries from the conifers where it lives. It also eats shoots, leaves, flowers and insects.
It is at high risk of extinction in the medium term.
It is not yet at risk, but could be soon if conditions worsen.
Not Used
There are no longer any living individuals of the species.
Only specimens survive in captivity or in scientific collections.
It has a very high risk of disappearing in the wild if conservation measures are not taken.
It faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the near future.
