Blue Coua

Overview

The blue coua (Coua caerulea) is a species of bird in the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, endemic to the island of Madagascar. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766 and is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Plumage is deep blue with a distinctive featherless blue oval area around the eye.
• Size ranges from 48 to 50 cm in length, with females slightly larger than males.
• Possesses a bulky silhouette, short, broad wings, and a long tail visible when gliding between trees.
• Calls consist of evenly spaced "koa koa koa" notes and a brief "brreee".

Habitat

This species inhabits forested areas in the northwestern and eastern regions of Madagascar. It is found in subtropical or tropical dry and moist lowland forests, as well as mangrove and moist montane forests. The bird is considered common in these suitable habitats.

Diet

As an omnivore, the blue coua feeds on insects, fruits, and small reptiles. Females lay a single white egg on a platform nest constructed of leaves and twigs on a tree branch.

Did you know?

The genus name Coua is derived from koa, the Malagasy word for a cuckoo. In French, the bird is known as Coua bleu.