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Turaco

Redirected from Musophagiformes

The Turacos, Plantain eaters and Go-away birds make up the bird family Musophagidae (literally “banana-eaters”). Traditionally, this group has been placed in the cuckoo order Cuculiformes, but Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy raises this group to a full order Musophagiformes

This is an African group of largish arboreal birds. Their flight is weak, but they run quickly through the tree canopy. They feed on fruit and some insects.

The Turacos and Plantain eaters are brightly coloured birds, usually blue, green or purple. Their wings contain a red pigment turacin[?], unique to this group. The Go away birds are mainly grey and white.

The Musophagidae build large stick nests in trees, and lay 2 or 3 eggs.

Whitebelliedgoawaybird.jpg

White-bellied Go-away Bird
Corythiaxoides leucogaster

Family: Musophagidae

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