The violet turaco, also known as the violaceous plantain eater (Musophaga violacea), is a large turaco, a group of African near-passerines. It is resident in West Africa, and has an extremely large range from Senegal through to the Nigeria, with an isolated population in Chad and Central African Republic. It occurs in tropical savannas, wetlands, woodlands and forests.These are unmistakable birds, but shy and often inconspicuous in the treetops.