Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
turaco

turaco

1 9.9
A large African bird with bright feathers and a tall crest
  • noun
  • /ˈtʊr.ə.koʊ/
  • South African
: turaco
  • Birdwatchers were excited to spot a rare turaco during their trip to the savannah.

Examples

  • Other names convey associations of place and behavior: the Turaco is the Go-Away bird; the Paradise Flycatcher is the One-of-the-Meat-Camp, and the Starling is the One-of-Cattle.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Turaco Zaim, one of those supporters, told the crowd via a megaphone that "we know this man, he's a good man."

    Blog text (9)

  • The Great Blue turaco is known for its striking blue feathers and unique call.

  • In the African rainforest, a vibrant turaco flew gracefully from tree to tree.

Synonyms

touraco
vsturaco
  • South African
1 9.9

A large African bird with bright red and green feathers and a crest

is identical but emphasizes general bright crest rather than unique coloring
turakoo
vsturaco
  • South African
9.9

A large bird from Africa with bright green feathers and a crest

focuses more on family membership than on crest shape
turacou
vsturaco
  • South African
9.9

A large African bird with bright feathers and a tall crest

emphasizes taxonomic family rather than flight ability

Surface Forms

turaco singular
turacos plural

Etymology

The word turaco comes from a West African name for this bright bird, which European explorers recorded as touraco. Because it kept the local name, turaco still refers today to these colorful, crested African birds.