Coua cursor
The Running Coua (Coua cursor) is a striking, medium-sized cuckoo endemic to the arid spiny forests of southern Madagascar. Measuring approximately 35-40 cm (14-16 inches) in length, it exhibits a distinct grayish-brown plumage on its upperparts, contrasting sharply with a rich rufous-chestnut belly and breast. Key identification marks include a plain gray head adorned with a prominent black facial stripe extending from the beak to behind the eye, and a patch of vibrant pale blue, bare skin s...
Found primarily in dry spiny forest, xerophytic scrub, and deciduous woodlands at low to mid-elevations across southwestern Madagascar.
Feeds predominantly on ground-dwelling insects, including ants, termites, beetles, and larvae, supplemented with small fruits, berries, and seeds.
Primarily diurnal, the Running Coua is highly terrestrial, spending most of its time foraging on the forest floor, only taking to trees for roosting or occasional short flights. It employs a distinctive foraging strategy, running swiftly and stopping abruptly to scan for prey, often scratching th...
The Running Coua is strictly endemic to the island of Madagascar, with its primary distribution concentrated in the arid and semi-arid southwestern and southern regions. Its range extends along the spiny forest belt, from areas north of Toliara (Tuléar) down to the vicinity of Taolanaro (Fort Dau...
Least Concern
- The name "Coua" is an onomatopoeia derived from the bird's distinctive call, which sounds like "koo-ah". - Unlike most cuckoos found globally, all species of couas, including the Running Coua, are non-parasitic, meaning they build their own nests and raise their own young. - It is one of the mo...