Colouring artist
With its bright-green colour, the white-cheeked turaco is a striking sight in the jungle. Even though its green colour might not seem exceptional at first glance, it certainly is. Unlike most bird species, they do not get this colour from colour pigments in their nutrition or the refraction of light. Turacos can even produce green colour pigments (turacoverdin) and red colouring agents (turacin).
Marking territory
The birds are beautiful but not very friendly. They are very territorial and will chase all intruding congeners from their territory. Their loud calls clearly indicate where their territory is located. If an intruder is detected nevertheless, a violent fight will ensue in which the turacos kick each other with their strong legs.
Did you know…
That the white-cheeked turaco is characterised by a white spot underneath its eyes? This spot continues down its neck, to which the turaco owes its name.
