Banana Eaters

No, this isn't a post about monkeys. Turacos are birds found only in Africa and the name turaco means 'banana eater'.  But their name is misleading and although they eat fruit along with buds, flowers and the occasional insect or snail, they don't eat bananas or plantains as their cousins the plantain-eaters name suggests.  They are not strong fliers and are often seen 'running' through tree canopy as they are good climbers.  Their other cousins the go-away-birds are known for their loud alarm calls which literally sounds like 'go away', there's a predator near.

Schalow's Turaco    Source: Wikipedia

White-crested Turaco   Source: Wikipedia

Red-crested Turaco   Source: Wikipedia

Purple-crested Turaco   Source: Wikipedia

Violet Turaco   Source: Wikipedia

Hartlaub's Turaco   Source: Wikipedia

As you can see, turacos are brightly colored and rather strange looking.  The largest of the group is the Great Blue Turaco which is about 30 inches in length.

Source:  Wikipedia

Their cousins are more modestly dressed.

Western Plantain-eater   Source: Wikipedia

Bare-faced Go-away-bird   Source: Wikipedia

White-bellied Go-away-bird   Source: Wikipedia

Turacos are long-lived birds reaching 30 to 35 years or more in captivity.  One of these days I hope to see one where they live and not in a zoo somewhere.