The Crested Couas (Coua cristata) are also known as Crested Madagascar Coucas.
Alternate (Global) Names
Chinese: ????? … Czech: Kukal korunkatý, kukalka chocholatá … Danish: Toppet Silkegøg … Dutch: Kuifcoua … Spanish: Cúa Crestada, Cúa Crestado … Estonian: tutt-siidkägu … Finnish: Töyhtökuku … French: Coua huppé … German: Spitzschopfcoua, Spitzschopf-Seidenkuckuck … Italian: Coua dalla cresta, Cua crestato … Japanese: kammurijikakkou, kanmurijikakkou, ?????????, ????????? … strong>Malagasy: Abosanga, Tivoka, Tokambolo, Tsikokofotsy, Tsiloko, tsipara … Norwegian: Toppkoa … Polish: kuja czubata … Russian: ???????? ?????????????? ??????? … Slovak: koa chochlatá … Swedish: Tofscoua
Distribution
As is suggested by its common name, this species is endemic to Madagascar where it is common.
It occurs in forests, savanna and brushland areas, from sea-level to altitude of 3,000 feet (~t 900 meters).
Subspecies and Ranges
- Coua cristata cristata (Linnaeus, 1766) – Nominate Race
- Range: Northern and eastern Madagascar, southwest to the district of Mahajanga situated on the north-west coast of Madagascar.
- Range: Western Madagascar from Mahajanga to Morondava.
- Range: Southwestern Madagascar between Morondava and Toliara, also south to Amboasary located in southeastern Madagascar.
- Range: Southeastern Madagascar (near Tolagnaro).
Description:
They are medium-sized, measuring about 17 inches or 44 cm in length. The plumage is mostly greenish-grey with a grey crest.
Like all couas, they have blue bare skin patches around the eyes. The chest is rufous-colored, the abdomen is white, and the long purplish-blue tail feathers have white tips.
The eyes are brown. The bill and legs are black.
Diet:
Their diet consists mainly of various insects, fruits, berries, seeds, small reptiles, snails and chameleons.
Breeding / Nesting:
Unlike cuckoos, Crested Couas build their own nests out of twigs, and incubate their own white-colored eggs. A clutch usually consists of two eggs. They also raise their own young. The nests are usually well hidden in trees or bushes.
Coua Information and Listing of Species … Coua Photo Gallery
Article (in English and German): Captive Breeding of Couas at the Weltvogelpark Walsrode in Germany / Aufzucht von Seidenkuckucken im Weltvogelpark Walsrode
