Photo: DickDaniels (http://theworldbirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Giant Coua
Coua gigas
Giant Coua (Coua gigas) — Cuckoos & Turacos of Africa.
The Giant Coua (Coua gigas) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 424 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Cuculiformes
- Family Cuculidae Cuckoos
- Genus Coua
- Species gigas
Quick facts
- Weight
- 424 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Giant Coua is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Giant Coua is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Giant Coua (Coua gigas) is a member of the Cuculidae family, within the order Cuculiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, s Madagascar.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 424 g, with a wing length of about 21.3 cm and a tail of around 29.6 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 149,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Giant Coua?
The Giant Coua is a large bird that weighs around 424 g.
Where does the Giant Coua live?
The Giant Coua is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, s Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Giant Coua belong to?
The Giant Coua (Coua gigas) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Giant Coua eat?
The Giant Coua is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Giant Coua migrate?
The Giant Coua is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Giant Coua endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Giant Coua make?
1 real field recording of the Giant Coua — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Giant Coua's range?
The Giant Coua has a mapped global range of about 149,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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