Photo: DickDaniels (https://theworldbirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Red-capped Coua
Coua ruficeps
Red-capped Coua (Coua ruficeps) — Cuckoos & Turacos of Africa.
The Red-capped Coua (Coua ruficeps) is a member of the Cuculidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 180 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 ruficeps
Quick facts
- Weight
- 180 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red-capped 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 Red-capped Coua is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Red-capped Coua (Coua ruficeps) is a member of the Cuculidae family, within the order Cuculiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF nw Madagascar.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 180 g, with a wing length of about 16.4 cm and a tail of around 22.9 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 98,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red-capped Coua?
The Red-capped Coua is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 180 g.
Where does the Red-capped Coua live?
The Red-capped Coua is found across Africa with a range covering AF nw Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Red-capped Coua belong to?
The Red-capped Coua (Coua ruficeps) belongs to the Cuculidae family, in the order Cuculiformes.
What does the Red-capped Coua eat?
The Red-capped Coua is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Red-capped Coua migrate?
The Red-capped Coua is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Red-capped 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 Red-capped Coua make?
1 real field recording of the Red-capped Coua — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Red-capped Coua's range?
The Red-capped Coua has a mapped global range of about 98,000 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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