About the Giant Coua
The giant coua is a bird species from the Coua genus in the cuckoo family that is endemic to the dry forests of western and southern Madagascar. Couas probably originated from a particular Asian ground-cuckoo. The genus Coua contains 10 species, more than any other genus in Madagascar. This species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to a rapidly decreasing population, resulting from defroestation and hunting pressures.
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Giant couas are about 62 cm (24 in) in length (nearly double the size of Coua coquereli) and have a blue patch around their eyes, characteristic of the genus and similar to African turacos. As a member of the cuckoo family, they have a reversible third toe and resemble coucals in their method of scrambling through entangled vines for food. Observations indicate that they can climb 10 m (33 ft) high from the ground. Coua gigas subsists on seeds (Capurodendron madagascariensis and Buxus madagascariensis), insects, and some small vertebrates such as chameleons (Furcifer spp.).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Coquerel's CouaCoua coquereliCoquerel's coua is approximately 40 cm (16 in) in length and has a large blue patch of bare skin around the eye, a characteristic of the Coua genus that is similar to African turacos.
Running CouaCoua cursorAdult running coua are approximately 34–40 centimetres (13–16 in) in length.
Red-breasted CouaCoua serrianaThe red-breasted coua is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae.
Learn the Giant Coua for real
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