Truly African Birds Found in South Africa

[Richprins]

So many species!

[Lisbeth]

Grey go-away-bird

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KNP S1, Jan. 2020

[Lisbeth]

Purple-crested Turaco

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Marloth, Dec. 2011

[Klipspringer]

Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix)

Turacos and Go-away birds have slightly different feeding habits:


Subfamily: Musophaginae
Diet: Almost exclusively vegetarian, feeding mainly on wild and cultivated fruits and to a lesser extent on foliage, flowers and buds. In addition, caterpillars, moths, beetles, snails, slugs and termites are also eaten by several species, particularly during the breeding season. Throughout the West and Central African forest zone, fruits of the parasol tree (Musango) and waterberry tree (Syzygium) are particularly favoured. Polyalthia and Cissus species along with Musango are a staple food for most forest turaco.
Feeding strategy: Clamber through fruiting trees to get to ripe fruit. Smaller items generally swallowed whole, but can tear flesh from larger ripe fruit

Subfamily: Criniferinae
Diet: Go-away-birds have a more varied diet: not only fruit, but also acacia buds, leaves and pods and Aloe and Erythrina flowers as well as termite alates are readily eaten.
Feeding strategy: Go-away-birds will spend time on the ground to hunt for insects


Lisbeth's Go-away bird is picking the fruit of the White berry-bush Flueggea virosa.

[Klipspringer]

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Turacos are not built for flying distances or sustained flight, their flight appears weak and quite arduous. They are much more at home running along tree branches and hopping through vegetation, they are equipped with semi-zygodactylous toes, giving them impeccable arboreal locomotion.

[Lisbeth]

That's why it is so difficult to get a decent shot

PJL has some very good photos, but I do not remember where they are posted

[Lisbeth]

©PJL

[Klipspringer]

Unique to turaco is the presence of two copper pigments: Turacin which is responsible for the red colouration and Turacoverdin which is responsible for green. All of the species in the subfamily Musophaginae have both of these present. Turacin gives this subfamily their trademark red wing feathers, which are generally hidden away unless sun bathing or flying.

Great photo by PJL

[Klipspringer]

Family Coliidae (6 species, in 2 genera).

Mousebirds are a small group of birds restricted to sub‐Saharan Africa. They have soft, gray‐brown plumage, fluffy crests, and long tails. Mousebirds are highly social and will huddle together in groups for warmth. When foraging, they may scramble through dense brush, often hanging from branches.
A unique feature of this group is the way they perch or “hang.” They suspend their bodies vertically with their tails pointing downward with their feet widely splayed at the level of the upper breast or neck area while keeping their heads right side up. It is their sleeping position of choice.


Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Volume 8

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[Lisbeth]

Speckled Mousebird, Harrismith

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