Birdsong field guide
White-cheeked Turaco
Menelikornis leucotis
A striking montane forest bird of the Musophagidae family, distinguished by its emerald plumage, bold white auricular and lores patches, and vivid crimson flight feathers.
What it sounds like
A loud, resonant, and barking 'caw-caw-caw' that often accelerates into a rapid, rhythmic series.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
0:00 / 0:34
Field notes
- Displays unique copper-based pigments, turacoverdin (green) and turacin (red), which are chemically distinct from the carotenoids found in most other birds.
- Exhibits semi-zygodactylous feet, allowing the fourth toe to rotate forward or backward for optimal grip while running along tree branches.
- The brilliant red primary feathers are used in territorial displays and are typically only visible when the bird is in flight or stretching.
- Functions as a specialized frugivore, playing a critical ecological role in seed dispersal for highland Afromontane flora.
- Nesting behavior involves the construction of a thin, flat platform of sticks, reminiscent of a pigeon's nest, often hidden in dense foliage.
Habitat
Afromontane forests, juniper woodlands, and lush highland gardens between 2,100 and 3,200 meters.
Range
Endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and southeastern South Sudan.
Similar & commonly confused birds
Heard a White-cheeked Turaco?
Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.
Identify a bird by its song