Updated
Ross’s turaco is a striking deep violet-purple turaco with a bright yellow face, bill and crest and crimson wing feathers that flash in flight. It lives in forest edges, riverine woodland and wooded gardens across central Africa, and in Uganda it is fairly widespread, seen in places such as Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha and Kyambura areas, Kibale’s edges, Mabira and around Entebbe. Its loud, cackling calls carry far.
Ross’s Turaco Uganda: The Purple Turaco Complete Guide
Appearance and habits
Ross’s turaco is about 50 cm long. The red in its wings, like that of other turacos, comes from turacin, a copper-based pigment, while its purple comes from feather structure and pigments. It feeds mainly on fruit and leaves, moving through trees by running along branches and making short glides, usually in pairs or small groups.
Where to see it
Look in fruiting trees along rivers and forest edges in Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and around Kibale, and in gardens and woodland near Entebbe and Kampala. Calls are often the best clue. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to the great blue turaco, the Rwenzori turaco, Lake Mburo and Uganda birding.
Frequently asked questions
Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale’s edges, Mabira and around Entebbe.
Deep violet-purple with a yellow face and crest and red wing feathers.
Mainly fruit and leaves.
No, it is fairly widespread in suitable habitat.
