Great Blue Turaco — Uganda's Most Spectacular Bird
The great blue turaco (Corythaeola cristata) is the largest turaco in the world and one of Africa's most spectacular birds. With its vivid turquoise-blue and yellow plumage, prominent crest and large size — up to 75cm long — it is instantly recognisable and never fails to impress even experienced birders visiting Uganda for the first time.
Where to See the Great Blue Turaco in Uganda
Great blue turacos are common and conspicuous in Uganda's forest and forest-edge habitats. The best sites include Entebbe Botanical Gardens (where birds sit openly in the canopy of mature trees — outstanding for photography), Kibale Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Semuliki National Park, Maramagambo Forest and the forest patches around Queen Elizabeth National Park. They are also seen along roadsides and in gardens near forests in western Uganda.
Behaviour and Field Notes
Great blue turacos are noisy and social, often found in groups of 3 to 8 birds feeding in fruiting trees. They are not shy and allow close approach when feeding. The distinctive loud, deep call — a series of resonant croaks — carries far and is one of the most evocative sounds of the African forest. In flight the bright red primary feathers flash conspicuously.
Photography Tips
Entebbe Botanical Gardens is the best site for great blue turaco photography — birds are accessible, the light is good on open perches and backgrounds are often clean green forest. Morning visits (7:00 to 10:00am) are most productive. Contact us to include great blue turaco in your Uganda birding and photography tour.