If you are a birder or are just on the lookout for wildlife in Southern Africa, the Grey Go-away Bird (Crinifer concolor) could be called your arch enemy. Why? This rather stately looking, pigeon-sized bird has a habit of alerting nearby wildlife with a very annoying call that's it's namesake. 'Go-away, go-away' is repeated again and again, alarming birds and animals alike so, by the time you have your binoculars focussed or lens pointing roughly in the right direction, whatever it was that first attracted your attention is long gone.
The Grey Go-away bird is also called the Grey Lourie is quite common throughout Southern Africa. It's fantastic crest is symbolic of the Turaco family, most of which are far more colourful than this rather sombre grey bird.
There's a Bare-faced go-away bird resident slightly north of Southern Africa. Although it has a similar shape to the Grey Lourie, it has no feathers on its face. There's also a White-bellied go-away bird - I have yet to see either in the wild.
There are quite a few different turacos in Africa and beyond - there are 32 listed on Wikipedia
When compared to the Grey Lourie this is a similar-looking Turaco in everything other than its colour! This the Green or Guinea Turaco which is also common throughout Southern and tropical Africa - although I have to admit this one was photographed (by Natalie) in Singapore's new Bird Paradise exhibit which is part of Singapore Zoo.
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