The Knysna Loerie is a large turaco found in mature evergreen forests of southern and eastern South Africa, and Swaziland.
Knysna Loerie Fast Facts
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Appearance: The Knysna Loerie is around 40 cm in length (including its long tail) and has a small, thick orange/red bill and a white line just under the eye, which is brown with a deep red eye ring. Aside from this the plumage is mainly green, but when it flies one can clearly see the crimson primary flight feathers. The Loerie has a tall green crest tipped with white, althought when young the crest is shorter and has no white.
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Habits: The Knysna Loerie lays two eggs in a shallow platform nest made from sticks and placed in a tree or clump of creepers. It is usually seen flying between forest trees, or hopping along branches.
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Diet: It feeds on fruit, insects and earthworms.
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Call: It has a loud kow-kow-kow-kow call.
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Trivia: The Loerie has given its name to two well known South African events - the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras (gay pride festival) that takes place in Knysna annually, and the Loerie Awards - the most prestigious marketing and advertising awards in South Africa, Africa and the Middle East.
(Info source: wikipedia)
