The White-Cheeked Turaco: Beautiful Bird of the Skies

Gracing the eastern forests and woods of Africa is one of the birds clad in such beauty, The White-Cheeked Turaco (Tauraco leucotis). This is a bird personified and in its features, it exudes beauty, most especially because of its bright colors and distinctive coloration.

The White-Cheeked Turaco looks about 30 cm long, its feathers are a combination of green and blue colors. The name originates when these color patches on the bird are mentioned which are highly conspicuous when the bird is in its green and blue vesture. Further, the white cheeks of the temporal areas and the red beak protrusions as well as the tail feathers are striking parts making it easy to identify the avian.

Turacos are among the few birds that cannot only alter the properties of certain of its feathers but actually synthesize within the body of substances possess the functions of pigments: turacins and turacins. The White-Cheeked Turaco still retains some of the clear emerald green feather pigmentation on its wings even which is to be expected. The long tail of the bird as well as its wings while flying are luster laden giving the bird additional beauty.

In the wild, the birds are most commonly observed perched in the thick foliage of tropical forests and feeding on fruits, leaves and insects. They are vertical and are rapid climbers through trees. Their powerful legs and sharp claws allow them to move easily from branch to branch, and most of the time, these birds are in trees. Their voices are melodic and sensuous