Photo: Olaf Oliviero Riemer / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Crested Coua
Coua cristata
Crested Coua (Coua cristata) — Cuckoos & Turacos of Africa.
The Crested Coua (Coua cristata) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 147 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Cuculiformes
- Family Cuculidae Cuckoos
- Genus Coua
- Species cristata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 147 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Crested Coua is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Crested Coua is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Crested Coua (Coua cristata) belongs to the Cuculidae family of the order Cuculiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Madagascar (except c).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 147 g, with a wing length of about 14.9 cm and a tail of around 19.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 272,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Crested Coua?
The Crested Coua is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 147 g.
Where does the Crested Coua live?
The Crested Coua is found across Africa with a range covering AF Madagascar (except c), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Crested Coua belong to?
The Crested Coua (Coua cristata) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Crested Coua eat?
The Crested Coua is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Crested Coua migrate?
The Crested Coua is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Crested Coua endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Crested Coua make?
1 real field recording of the Crested Coua — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Crested Coua's range?
The Crested Coua has a mapped global range of about 272,000 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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