Prince Ruspoli's Turaco Menelikornis ruspolii Scientific name definitions

Ca. 40 cm; 200–290 g. Adult has greenish-gray forehead and front of crest covering nostrils; rest of rounded bushy crest (feathers 40 mm long) is grayish white, rose-pink at base, and with a tuft of red feathers on nape; lores , area under eye, and ear-coverts bright yellowish green; chin and throat grayish green; neck, breast and upper back moss-green; lower back, folded wings and tail greyish blue; primaries and outer secondaries crimson; belly and thighs blackish; eye brown, with bare orbital skin and wattle above eye vermilion-red; bill vermilion-red; legs and feet black. Juvenile undescribed.

Has hybridized in the wild with nominate subspecies of White-cheeked Turaco (Menelikornis leucotis) (1 Lernould, J.M. and Seitre, R. (2002). [First record of wild hybrids between White-cheeked Turaco Tauraco l. leucotis and Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco T. ruspolii]. Alauda 70: 247–251. In French with English summary. Close ). Monotypic.

• White-cheeked x Prince Ruspoli's Turaco (hybrid) Menelikornis leucotis x ruspolii

Southern Ethiopia, around Arero, Bobela, Sokora, Negele and Wadera.

While occurring in juniper (Juniperus) forest with dense evergreen undergrowth near Arero and Wadera, it is thought to favor drier forest margins, acacia -conifer woodland , and mixed broadleaf scrub with scattered Gardenia and Ficus. Elevation range from 1250 m to 1860 m.

Believed to undertake regular short-range movements from wetter juniper forests and their margins to surrounding drier woodland.

Primarily fruit, with figs (Ficus), Juniperus procera and Podocarpus gracilior as main food plants.

Main call a series of raucous cawing notes with a rhythmic structure similar to T. leucotis but much faster and with a greater number of shorter notes: three introductory notes are followed by a stuttering series that gradually decelerates to reach a steady pace (total duration ca. 4 seconds). Also high-pitched single notes and similar stuttering series’, as well as drawn-out growls.

No definite information available. Recently reported by local people to breed December–February near Ganale River (southeastern Ethiopia); investigation required.

VULNERABLE. CITES II. Previously considered Endangered. Although listed as being a globally Endangered species, with its survival threatened by continuing degradation and loss of habitat within its restricted range, recent surveys suggest that it is actually much more common and widespread than was believed until quite recently. Field work has also shown that it prefers drier habitats such as acacia-conifer woodland, rather than the wetter juniper forests, and that it can tolerate human presence and activities within its habitat.