Red-breasted Coua
Coua serriana
Dark, long-tailed, long-legged understory bird. When seen well, the red breast and black face with blue facial skin are distinctive and beautiful. Very shy bird that spends most of its time walking on the forest floor, sometimes hopping into low tangles. Found in eastern rainforest, mainly at low elevations. The most common call is a loud single “treeeeeow.” Slightly larger than Red-capped Coua, with red on the breast rather than the cap. Much longer-tailed than forest-dwelling rails.
Identification
The red-breasted coua (Coua serriana) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Taxonomy
Genus: Coua; Family: Cuculidae; Order: Cuculiformes.
- Scientific name
- Coua serriana
- Authority
- Pucheran, 1845
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Coua
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Savanna Hawk
Buteogallus meridionalis
Beautiful orangish raptor with a widespread distribution across Central and South America. Overall cinnamon-colored with dark barring on the underparts. Upperparts are darker brown except for contrasting cinnamon shoulders. In flight, note white tail band and mostly cinnamon flight feathers. Immatures can be mostly whitish on the head and belly, often with heavy dark markings. Note shape (short-tailed and long-legged) and habitat. Singles or pairs are found in open habitats, often perched conspicuously on a fence post or treetop.
White-shouldered Antshrike
Thamnophilus aethiops
Shy antshrike found in understory of lowland and foothill rainforest. Male is dark gray or black; he also has small white dots on the shoulder and a white line at the bend of the wing, but these features are not always evident in the field. Female is plain brown; on the western edge of the range, she also has a black face, throat, and tail. Usually first detected by voice: song is a soft series of evenly spaced, nasal caws.
Red-crested Cardinal
Paroaria coronata
Unmistakable with its bright red crest and throat that contrasts with its gray back and white underparts. Note the pale horn-colored bill. Usually seen on the ground in semiopen habitat including agricultural lands and urban areas. In the nonbreeding season gathers in large flocks. The songs is a slow melodious whistle.
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