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 sometimes separat ...
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 sometimes separ ...
.
It is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found 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 found els ...
to
Madagascar
Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...
.
Its natural
habitat
In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and 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 ...
is subtropical or tropical dry
forest
A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...
s.
Description
Adult running coau are approximately 34–40 cm in length.
[Johannes Erritzøe, Clive F. Mann, Frederik Brammer, & Richard A. Fuller. (2012). ''Cuckoos of the World''. Helm. Page 223.] 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 2 meters 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
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