Birds
Giant Coua
Coua gigas · also called giant couas
Striding confidently across the forest floor rather than taking to the air, a giant coua forages for insects and fallen fruit, the largest member of a bird family found nowhere outside Madagascar.
Overview
The giant coua, Coua gigas, is a Least Concern bird native to dry forest habitat across western and southern Madagascar. Its status as the largest coua species, strongly terrestrial lifestyle, and reluctance to fly make it one of the more distinctive ground-dwelling birds found on the island.
A cuckoo relative that would rather walk
Despite belonging to the cuckoo family, the giant coua has little in common with the brood-parasitic cuckoos many people picture, spending nearly all its time walking and running across the forest floor and taking to the air only when it has no better option.
Status
Least Concern, remaining present across suitable dry forest habitat in western and southern Madagascar, though affected by ongoing habitat loss in parts of its range.
Giant Coua: common questions
Why is it called the giant coua?
It is the biggest member of the coua family, a group of ground-dwelling birds found only on Madagascar, considerably larger than its smaller coua relatives.
Does the giant coua fly much?
Not often; it is capable of flight but strongly prefers to walk or run across the forest floor, spending the great majority of its time on the ground.
Is the giant coua related to cuckoos?
Yes, it belongs to the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, though unlike some other cuckoo species it does not lay its eggs in other birds' nests.
What does the giant coua eat?
It is an omnivore, eating insects, small invertebrates, seeds, and fruit found while foraging on the forest floor.