The running coua (''Coua cursor'') is a species of

cuckoo Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae ( ) family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes ( ). The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals, and anis. The coucals and anis are somet ...

in the family

Cuculidae Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae ( ) family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes ( ). The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals, and anis. The coucals and anis are someti ...

. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

Madagascar Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country that includes the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands. Lying off the southeastern coast of Africa, it is the world's List of islands by area, f ...

. Its natural

habitat In ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species' habitat can be seen as the physical manifestation of its ...

is subtropical or tropical dry

forest A forest is an ecosystem characterized by a dense ecological community, community of trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, ...

Description

Adult running coau are approximately in length. Adults appear grey-green above, with a blue and pink face outlined in black and dark blue skin around the eye. The back is bright pink, outlined by black feathers. The running coau's breast is purplish. Juveniles have similar coloration, although duller, and without black on the face.

Distribution and habitat

The running coau is endemic to Madagascar, and is found to the south and south-west of the island. Its typical habitat is sub-arid thorn scrub, spiny desert, dry woodlands, and low forest bush. The running coau is not globally threatened.

Behavior and ecology

The running coau is a terrestrial bird, typically found alone or in a pair. It walks and hops on the ground, running when threatened. Its diet consists of beetles, ants, spiders, and plants. The running coau breeds during the rainy season, and lays its eggs during October. It nests in a bush about above the ground, building it's nest of twigs and bark, lined with leaf stalks.

References

running coua running coua running coua taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{cuculiformes-stub