Musophaga violacea
Most of the following information comes from Wikipedia
Turacos make up the bird family Musophagidae (literally “banana-eaters”) which includes plantain-eaters and go-away-birds. In southern Africa both turacos and go-away-birds are commonly known as louries. They are semi-zygodactylous- the fourth (outer) toe can be switched back and forth. The second and third toes, which always point forward, are conjoined in some species. Musophagids often have prominent crests and long tails; the turacos are noted for peculiar and quite unique pigments giving them their bright green and red feathers.
Musophagids are medium-sized arboreal birds endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, where they live in forests, woodland, and savanna. Their flight is weak, but they run quickly through the tree canopy. They feed mostly on fruits and to a lesser extent on leaves, buds, and flowers, occasionally taking small insects, snails, and slugs. Contrary to what the names might suggest, they generally do not eat bananas or plantains and indeed wild-living musophagids do not seem to use Musa as food at all.
Kenya was originally very shy around people, but she quickly learned from Amadeus that humans are where the much desired blueberries come from! They both eagerly come over for a hand-fed treat where they remain until all the goodies have been given out. Although she is still somewhat reserved, Kenya is becoming more and more confident. Amadeus has been known to give Kenya some gentle encouragement to get out and meet people.
Turacos are gregarious birds that do not migrate. They are brightly colored birds (usually blue, green or purple). The green color in turacos comes from Turacoverdin, the only true green pigment in birds known to date. Other “greens” in bird colors result from a yellow pigment such as some Carotenoid, combined with the prismatic physical structure of the feather itself which scatters the light in a particular way and giving a blue color. Turaco wings contain the red pigment Turacin, unlike in other birds where red color is due to Carotenoids. Both pigments are derived from Porphyrins and only known from the Musophagidae at present, but especially the little-researched Turacoverdin might have relatives in other birds.
