White-crested Turaco
Tauraco leucolophus
Silhouette: Lisa M. "Pixxl" (photo), John E. McCormack, Michael G. Harvey, Brant C. Faircloth, Nicholas G. Crawford, Travis C. Glenn, Robb T. Brumfield & T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderMusophagiformes (Turacos)
- FamilyMusophagidae (Turacos)
- GenusTauraco (Green and Purple Turacos)
- SpeciesTauraco leucolophus (White-crested Turaco)
About the White-crested Turaco
The white-crested turaco (Tauraco leucolophus) is a bird in the family Musophagidae, a group of African otidimorph birds. The white-crested turaco is native to riverine forest and woodland in a belt between eastern Nigeria and western Kenya. It is a common species with a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as being of "least concern".
The white-crested turaco was first described in 1855 by the German explorer and ornithologist Theodor von Heuglin. Genetic studies show that this species is closely related to the red-crested turaco (Tauraco erthrolophus) and Bannerman's turaco (Tauraco bannermanii), having diverged from them in the late Pliocene. At that time, climatic changes occurred which subsequently led to increasingly arid conditions, a decrease in forest cover and an increase in wooded savannah. The white-crested turaco maintained a widespread distribution, perhaps by adapting to new habitats, while Bannerman's turaco became restricted to montane habitats where the forest cover remained.
This distinctive bird has glossy, bluish-black upperparts which contrast markedly with its white crest, cheeks, neck... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of White-crested Turaco in Murchison Falls National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Murchison Falls National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kidepo Valley National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 2 | Murchison Falls National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 3 | Lake Mburo National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 4 | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 5 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 6 | Virunga National Park | 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| 7 | Kibale National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a White-crested Turaco in Murchison Falls National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a White-crested Turaco sighting in Murchison Falls National Park, based on 83 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see White-crested Turaco in Murchison Falls National Park?
July has the highest sighting rate for White-crested Turaco in Murchison Falls National Park in our monthly data.