Blue Coua
Madagascar is a paradisiiac island where fauna and flora abounds. Bird lovers can enjoy exploring a large variety of different types of birds and trees. The blue coua, which is endemic to Madagascar, is among the most amazing birds in the island.
The blue coua, so-called Coua caerulea, belongs to the cuckoo family, Cuculidae. The Blue Coua, an endemic bird species to Madagascar, has its name partially because of its blue feathered color, and its song.
Carl Linnaeus, also known as Carl von Linné or Carolus Linnaeus, or the Father of Taxonomy, described this species in 1766. In fact, 12 Coua species have been identified, but 1/3 have been extinct. The genus Coua derives from “koa”, which is the Malagasy name for a cuckoo.
The Blue Coua has deep blue feathers, and a deep blue oval area around its eyes.
They have large black feet, with a reversible third toe, and a black beak, a bulky silhouette. Its wings are broad but short, with a long tail. The Blue Coua measures no more than 50 cm long and weighs between 40 to 50 grams. Females are slightly larger than males. Their songs are characterized by a brief ″brreee″ after a succession of ″koa koa koa″ notes.
The Blue Coua feeds mainly on insects, but they also diet on seasonal fruits and small reptiles. It inhabits subtropical or tropical dry forests and moist montane forests of Madagascar. Also, it can be spotted in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and in mangrove forests, especially in the northwestern and eastern parts of the island.
Safari-Madagascar is an online travel agency that organizes bird-watching tours in Madagascar’s endemic forests. We offer a 13-day rainforest birding tour with guides and accommodations and vehicles. Please contact us for more information.