Turacos at Birdland by Alistair Keen

Birdland Park & Gardens in Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire has a long history of keeping turaco species. From our early beginnings under Len Hill through to today we have held several species of this beautiful bird. Our early records are sketchy but we know that we have previously kept Great Blue, White-cheeked, Purple-crested and possibly more species. Today we currently house 6 species around the park, a total of 10 birds.

The majority of our turacos are housed in outdoor aviaries but with access to indoor quarters with heat for those cold winter months. Some of the aviaries are netted whilst others have a metal framed roof. All enclosures provide height for the birds to get up and are well planted. There are sheltered areas to keep out of the rain but also away from the public as well.

Diet is largely fruit based although with other species in most aviaries, a wide range of feeds are available and indeed taken. Food is supplemented with a small amount of Universal Food mixed in. This is produced by Beaphar and is sourced for us by Ponderosa Bird & Pet Centre in Cheltenham. Vitamins are added to the food and all of our birds are routinely wormed using Flubenvet at least twice a year.

A range of nest sites are offered to our turaco pairs and these can include basket, trays, ledges and boxes. Nest material offered includes hay, moss and grasses but with over 200 trees on site, we get a lot of twig fall and have noted several twigs in previous turaco nests. In the open-faced boxes (which have only had limited use) we use a combination of wood shavings and peat.

All of our birds are rung and we tend to use plastic split rings from A.C. Hughes who can also supply us with closed aluminium rings as required.

As you enter Birdland, the first species that you will see is our pair of Violet Plantain-eater, or Violaceous Turaco (Musophaga violacea). This is a fairly new pair with the male arriving from Paultons Park at the end of 2011 to join our female, originally from Paradise Park. At the start of this year we moved the pair to a large netted aviary with plenty of cover and nesting sites where we have previously bred Red-crested Turaco. Unfortunately we have had no signs of nesting and have had to remove the male on more than one occasion when he has been keeping the female grounded. They have recently been reintroduced and they have been heard vocalising and seen to feed and preen one another.

Our next species is our single hen Buffon’s Turaco (Tauraco persa buffoni). Previously kept in our Tropical House until it was demolished a few years back, she now occupies a mixed aviary with species including Bali Mynah (Leucopsar rothschildi), Blacksmith Plover (Anitibyx armatus) & Red Billed (or Silky) Starling (Sturnus sericeus). This year she has produced several eggs which is something she has never previously done despite being housed with a male until 2003. No nest has been provided so she has taken to laying in the food bowl and we will be making a concerted effort to find her a mate over the winter.

We then come to our pair of Red-crested Turaco (Tauraco erythrolophus). We have finally enjoyed some success with this species after a number of years. The male (a 2002 Chester bird) has proved very difficult to pair, with a lot of aggression shown to previous females. With a lot of time, effort and patience we finally paired him with a female from a private breeder. Successful breeding occurred in both 2011 & 2012 although the last chick was euthanised as it had a deformed leg. The remaining 2011 chick on site also has a slight leg problem so we are potentially looking to split the pair. They were switched with the Violaceous this year and although mutual preening and courtship was seen, no eggs were produced this year.

We also house a single female Violaceous in what was our old Toucan House. Long term, we are looking to build a large walk-through aviary, potentially with a large group of Violaceous as part of the exhibit.

Our Western-grey Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator) hen bird arrived with a male in late 2012 from a private breeder. The cock bird was lost to septicaemia and as yet we have still to find a replacement. The hen has been moved around a bit as she has been showing some aggression to some of her aviary mates, including Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) and Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) so at present she is housed with our pair of Northern Helmeted Curassow (Crax pauxi pauxi).

Next door is our Lady Ross (Musophaga rossae). Arriving from Edinburgh in 2011 this cock bird has again proven difficult to house due to his aggressive attitude. He has settled down now in an aviary with our Bare Faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata).

Our final species of turaco at Birdland is the White-bellied Go-away Bird (Criniferoides leucogaster). This is a cock bird that came to us from Chester back in 2011. He is currently off-show whilst we are redesigning a couple of our aviaries.

So as you can see, we have a busy winter ahead trying to pair up our single birds. The collection of turacos that we are starting to build up is a lovely mix of species and proves a hit with the visitors.

Here’s hoping for breeding success in the next couple of years. Alistair Keen Head Keeper Birdland

Birdland is open every day except Christmas Day from 10am. Birdland phone number: 01451 820480 Website: birdland.co.uk E-Mail: [email protected] or [email protected]