The California Academy of Sciences is celebrating a new addition to its Osher Rainforest — a red-crested turaco chick.
The chick joins an array of other baby animals on display this month, including reindeer, camels, and yaks, as part of the Academy’s holiday programming.
Native to the forests of western Angola, red-crested turacos (Tauraco erythrolophus) are the first African bird species to inhabit the dome. Scarlet and Skittles, a female and a male, are also part of a Species Survival Plan, a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, that is meant to help maintain genetic diversity among populations in human care.
Sporting the colorful plumage of a proud papa and mama, red-crested turaco parents Scarlet and Skittles recently welcomed their first chick at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. June 11, 2024. (California Academy of Sciences via Bay City News)
Currently just a few weeks old, the chick sports dark, fluffy baby plumage. Under the care of the Steinhart Aquarium’s Animal Health and Care Team, the baby bird is thriving and will soon develop the vibrant rainbow-hued feathers characteristic of the species.
The chick is currently on view inside the Osher Rainforest, California Academy of Sciences.
This holiday season, the Academy’s lineup of baby animals continues. See baby camels on display through Dec.19, then return for baby yaks from December 20 to January 5. Visit the website for more information and tickets.