This species is an arboreal frugivore of montane forest (McKay 1994). It can survive in degraded and secondary forest as long as sufficient tall, fruiting trees remain (Stuart 1986). In fragmented landscapes, however, it requires the presence of larger blocks of higher quality forest (D. Hořák in litt. 2016). It is found between 1,700 and 2,950m elevation (Turner et al. 2020). At lower altitudes, it is replaced by its congener, the Green Turaco T. persa, which is found in more open forest or scrub (McKay 1994, McKay and Coulthard 2000). It would appear to move to higher altitudes (2,200-2,600 m) during the breeding season, probably to exploit seasonal fruiting patterns (Forboseh and Ikfuingei 2001). It is very sensitive to forest area reduction (Hořák et al. 2010) and its probability of occurrence declines when the forest cover drops below 60% (D. Hořák in litt. 2016). It is easily recognised due to its dawn and morning chorus, when neighbouring groups (up to 15 individuals) answer each other (J. Riegert in litt. 2016).

Due to forest clearance for agricultural expansion, timber collection, and livestock grazing, as well as the impact of forest fires, the species' habitat is experiencing a continuous decline as areas are progressively degraded or converted (Binda and Mayaka 2020, Nja and Tamungang 2022).

Restricted to the Bamenda Highlands in western Cameroon, but small populations exist on nearby Mt Mbam (Njabo and Languy 2000) and at Fossimondi and Fomenji to the south-west (Nkembi et al. 2005).

Conservation Actions Underway
Listed in CITES Appendix II. Local communities are actively engaged in conserving montane forest. However, there is now reportedly a lack of adequate conservation action taking place in the area around Kilum-Ijum Forest, despite the presence of many forest management institutions around the forest (P. Forboseh in litt. 2007). Community-based conservation activities were extended to other forest fragments in the Bamenda Highlands in 2000 (J. DeMarco in litt. 2000, P. Forboseh in litt. 2003).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Study ecological constraints to its survival including seasonal food requirements, size of forest patches, tolerance of habitat degradation (Forboseh and Ikfuingei 2001) and competition with T. persa (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1998c, J. DeMarco in litt. 2000). Conduct surveys to improve knowledge about the species's population size. Take measures to prevent forest fires (F. Maisels in litt. 1998) and educate communities about the magnitude of the forest fire problem (F. Maisels in litt. 1998). Protect as many as possible of the remaining forest fragments in the Bamenda Highlands (J. DeMarco in litt. 2000), which is critical for stabilising the population (D. Hořák in litt. 2016). Develop strategies for restoring larger blocks of natural forest and connecting corridors (J. DeMarco in litt. 2000) and establish captive breeding populations to assist in the recolonization of areas and the supplementation of existing populations. Collar and Butchart (2013) suggested that captive breeding should be considered.