Bird · GBIF taxon 2496419
Blue Coua
Coua caeruleaAlso known as Madagascar Blue Coua
Vibrant royal blue plumage and a patch of bare cobalt skin around the eyes distinguish this striking bird as it moves through the damp rainforest canopy of eastern Madagascar. Unlike many European cuckoo relatives, pairs build their own bowl-shaped nests out of twigs and palm fibers to raise their young together. They bounce gracefully between branches using long tails for balance, hunting arboreal prey and feeding on ripe forest fruits.
ArborealEndemicRainforest
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Caterpillars
- Chameleons
- Fleshy Berries
Predators
- Fosa
- Henst's Goshawk
- Madagascar Tree Boa
ThreatsDeforestation and habitat fragmentation from slash-and-burn agriculture
HabitatsLowland and submontane tropical rainforests
Life span8–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCuculidae
- SpeciesCoua caerulea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Scanning the middle story of intact eastern rainforests early in the day gives the best chance of spotting their vivid blue feathers.
- Binocular Use: Use wide-field optics to follow their quick, bounding movements as they leap across tangled vines.
Close Relative Close Relative Close Relative Family Member
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.