The Bird That Tells Everyone to “Go Away!”
What’s in a name? When it comes to the Bare-faced Go-away-bird (Crinifer personatus), the name tells you exactly who they are and what they’re doing.
Why the “Bare Face”?
Unlike its cousins, this species is easy to spot thanks to a distinctive patch of unfeathered black skin on its face. It’s a bold look that makes them stand out in the East African canopy.
The Original Neighborhood Watch
The “Go-away” part of their name comes from their noisy, repetitive call. It sounds remarkably like a person shouting “g'way!” or “go away!”
In the wild, this bird acts as a feathered alarm system. Their loud calls alert other animals to the presence of predators, making them the ultimate neighborhood watch of the savannah.
Meet the Turacos
The Bare-faced Go-away-bird belongs to the Turaco family, a group of medium-sized birds (generally 14-30 inches long) native to Africa. They are famous for two things:
Impressive Crests and Colors: Most turacos sport a stylish “mohawk” of feathers. Others (but not this one) contain green pigment, making them the only truly green bird in the world.
The Reversible Toe: They have a unique fourth toe that can be pointed forward or backward. While this feature doesn't help much with flying, it makes them incredible climbers, allowing them to scurry through dense branches with ease.
See Them in Tanzania
Want to hear the “Go-away” call for yourself? We’re heading back to East Africa, June 3-13, 2027.
Join the early bird list: Email BibleLandExplorer@gmail.com to be notified as soon as registration opens!