[4] "Great blue turaco" has been designated the official common name by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOC).

[7] The adult great blue turaco has predominantly grey-blue upperparts with an upright blue-black crest, white chin, yellow-green lower breast and yellow belly darkening to chestnut brown posteriorly.

The yellow bill has an orange-red tip, the eyes are brown, and surrounded by a ring of black bare skin.

[6] The great blue turaco is gregarious, with birds forming small troops of some six or seven individuals.

[6] The great blue turaco eats leaves, flowers, as well as fruit of many plant species, including those of the genera Musanga, Cissus, Ficus (such as Ficus capensis) Polyalthia, Heisteria, Dacryodes, Pachypodanthium, Uapaca, Strombosia, Trichilia, Drypetes, Viscum, Beilschmiedia, Coelocaryon, Croton, and Pycnanthus.

In Kenya, it has been recorded eating mitzeeri (Bridelia micrantha) in April, loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) in July, guava (Psidium guajava) in September and Cordia africana over November and December.

[6] The BaMbala and related tribes around the town of Kikwit in the DRC, call the great blue turaco kolonvo.