Turacoverdin

Turacoverdin is a unique copper uroporphyrin pigment responsible for the bright green coloration of several birds of the family Musophagidae, most notably the turaco.

The green appearance of turacoverdin can be derived from its absorbance curve, which peaks at blue wavelengths and in the long-wave range above yellow.

The subfamily Criniferinae is typically regarded as being devoid of the brighter pigments, although the genus Corythaeola does have a small stripe of turacoverdin on its breast.

The pigment data specifically suggests that turacos evolved from a group of galliform species, which is represented by the extant genera Ithaginis and Rollolus.

Based on the appearance of its green feathers, researcher Jan Dyck speculates that Rollolus is closer to a possible ancestor than Ithaginis.

[6] The northern jacana, on the other hand, is a member of the order Charadriiformes, a group clearly not closely related to either Musophagidae or Galliformes.

As turacos are primarily arboreal species, they are able to accumulate copper through a diet rich in fruits, flowers, buds, and other plant matter.

[4] Other authors speculate that turacos and other birds employing the use of turacoverdin may derive a physiological and biochemical benefit from synthesizing the pigment.

[11] Turacos may detoxify the high levels of copper ingested in a diet rich with porphyrins, thereby advertising the protection they've granted themselves by depositing the copper-rich pigments in their feathers.