Knysna Turaco

Afrikaans name: Knysnaloerie

Knysna Turaco

Photo © Steven Herbert

Tauraco corythaix

Knysna Turaco behaviour

This is one very beautiful bird but unfortunately, they are not always easy to see. They spend a lot of time in the foliage of trees or bushes where their green colouration blends in with the foliage. They can, however, often be seen flying between trees when their stunning red wings are visible. For many years this species was known as the Knysna Lourie.

Knysna Turaco appearance

These turacos are around 40 cm in length. They have a small reddish bill and predominantly green plumage. There are white markings on the face and crest. In flight the most obvious colour is the bright red in their wings: this is thought to be a way of confusing predators which tend to focus on the red which promptly disappears when they land.

Knysna Turaco

Photo © Steven Herbert

Knysna Turaco diet

These birds love fruit and the list of trees that they feed off is way too long to list here. They do vary their diet slightly with seeds and insects.

Knysna Turaco breeding

They have quite an extended breeding which runs from May to February. Both sexes assist in building the nest which consists mainly of twigs. It is placed fairly high in a tree and is hidden amongst the foliage. 1 or 2 eggs are laid and are cared for by both sexes. The chicks take around 4 weeks before they are ready to start attempting to fly.

Knysna Turaco distribution and habitat

The Knysna Turaco is endemic to South Africa and Swaziland, with the biggest populations in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. They favour densely wooded areas, such as riverine forests, where they clamber around in the treetops.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 150

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 111

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 111

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 121

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 39

Everyone's Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 116

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 65

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 156

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 206

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 206

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 137

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 230

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 238

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 322

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 318

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 224

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 232

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 139

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Year Published: 1979 - Page: 23

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 207

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 108

List of South African Birds