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Musophagidae
Musophagidae (turacos, go-away birds, plantain-eaters; class Aves, order Cuculiformes) A family of medium to large birds, some of which are brightly coloured with green, purple, and red, others a duller grey or brown. They have crested heads, bare skin around the eyes, and short, stout bills. Their wings are short and rounded, and their tails long. The red pigments are copper-based and, together with the green pigments, are unique to turacos. They inhabit forests and bush, feed on fruit and berries, and nest in trees. The largest genus, Tauraco (about 15 species), comprises bright green birds with black, blue, or green, glossed tails, bare areas of red or yellow skin around the eye, coloured crests, and crimson flight feathers. There are five genera in the family, with 18 species, often placed in their own order, Musiphagiformes. They are found in Africa.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Musophagidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Musophagidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Musophagidae.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Musophagidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Musophagidae.html |
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turacos
turacos See CUCULIFORMES; MUSOPHAGIDAE.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "turacos." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "turacos." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-turacos.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "turacos." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-turacos.html |
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