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The male and female of a pair cooperate to care for their chicks. Crested coua chicks have unique red and white markings inside their mouths that look like bull’s eyes, presumably to show their parents where to put the food.

front view of a crested coua perched on a branch

Did You Know?

The crested coua is a type of cuckoo bird.

Quick Facts

Latin Name:
Coua cristata

Range:
Madagascar

Habitat:
Forest, grassland and shrubland

Length:
Up to 1.5 ft

Zoo Location:
Birds of the World

Diet:
Insects and other small animals; fruits and berries