Tauraco persa
Green Turaco
A medium-large (40-43 cm) turaco with brilliant green and blue plumage, crimson primaries visible in flight, and a small erectile green crest. Occurs in well-developed forest near rivers and watercourses across The Gambia, feeding on wild and cultivated fruit. Widely called 'Green Turaco' locally, though the scientifically preferred name is Guinea Turaco, following a split of the former wide-ranging 'Green Turaco' complex into four species (only this one occurs in West Africa).
Identification
No other Gambian turaco combines this all-green body with crimson-flashing primaries and a small green crest — Violet Turaco is the other common local species and is unmistakably violet-blue rather than green.
Want to see the Green Turaco?
Join Yaya on a trip to one of the sites below, or ask about an itinerary built around it — he'll help you plan the best way to find it in the field.
Where to find it
Western Region, near Lamin/Abuko, south of Serekunda on the Banjul–Brikama highway
Abuko is The Gambia's oldest protected wildlife area, a small but botanically rich pocket of gallery forest along the Lamin Stream, easily reached from the coastal resorts. It's one of the country's most reliable sites for forest-dependent species, with an easy circular trail and hides making close encounters straightforward even on a short visit.
Western Region, coastal Gambia, near Brufut village (a short drive from the Kotu/Kololi/Senegambia resort area)
Brufut Woods (also known as Brufut Forest or the Brufut Woods Nature Trail) is a small community-managed patch of coastal woodland and forest on the edge of Brufut village, easily reached from the coastal resort area. It's one of the best-known sites in the country for owls and for the Long-tailed Nightjar, and is popular with visiting birders for its mix of dense forest, open woodland, scrub and grassy clearings along a network of trails.
Tours that target this bird
A carefully paced 15-day tour from the Atlantic coast through the mangrove-lined River Gambia and into the eastern part of the country, balancing serious birding with rest, wildlife and Gambian culture. Around 300 species are possible depending on season.
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A comprehensive birding, wildlife and nature tour combining the finest habitats of The Gambia with Northern Senegal's Saloum Delta — coastal wetlands, mangroves, woodland, rice fields, savannah and riverine forest, plus a boat excursion to the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar.
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