The oddly named White-bellied Go-away-bird (Crinifer leucogaster) is one of three species of ‘go-away-bird’, which are in fact members of the ‘turaco’ family of birds, which is another odd name in itself. Apparently turaco means ‘banana-eater’ which this family of birds rarely do, but they are avid fruit eaters. Turacos are found across sub-Saharan Africa, with the more colourful members found in the lush rainforests, whilst the greyer, more nondescript members, such as the go-aways, tend to frequent the savannahs and dry forests. The white-bellied go-away-bird is primarily found in east Africa and is not known for long flights or migration. In fact they prefer to hop around the trees and forest floor, flying only short distances. The name ‘go-away-bird’ originates from their call which is said to sound like the phrase ‘go away’, whilst their alarm call is a very long ear piercing shrill that it is often the first heard by others enabling them to flee long before any potential predator gets near. It’s fairly easy to tell the sexes apart on the adult birds, the females have the greeny yellow coloured bill seen here, whilst the males have an all black bill, (see Tz. Birds Gallery).
