plantain eater

Genus of birds of the order Cuculiformes, which includes the cuckoos and touracos. There are two species, the violet plantain eater, Musophaga violacea, and Ross's plantain eater M. rossae. They both occur in West African forests. They are quite large birds, about 76 cm/30 in long, with beautiful plumage.

M. rossae has violet black feathers with a red crest and much crimson under the wings. This is also a feature of touracos. Neither of the species feeds on plantains but on berries and other fruit.