The olive-capped coua is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to southwest Madagascar.
Region
Southwest Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occurs in semi-arid spiny thicket, dry deciduous woodland, and coastal scrub, favoring dense understory and tangles for cover. It frequents edges, degraded thickets, and low, scrubby dune vegetation as well as more intact forest patches. The species is largely terrestrial, using low shrubs and fallen branches as foraging substrates. It often keeps to shaded understory where it moves quietly and avoids open ground.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The olive-capped coua is a ground-dwelling cuckoo that, unlike many cuckoos, builds its own nest and raises its young. It is restricted to the dry forests and spiny thickets of southwest Madagascar, where it spends much of its time walking and foraging on the ground. Its olive-toned crown and blue facial skin help distinguish it from other couas. Habitat loss from charcoal production and land clearing is the main threat across its range.
Temperament
secretive and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, short glides
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, moving quietly through dense cover. Builds a simple twig nest in low shrubs or small trees and is not brood-parasitic. Both parents are believed to share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include mellow, low-pitched hoots and soft, descending whistles delivered from within cover. Calls carry surprisingly far at dawn and dusk and may be exchanged antiphonally between mates.
Plumage
Overall sandy-brown to rufous-brown upperparts with paler underparts and a slightly buffy belly; crown distinctly olive-toned. Tail long and graduated with a dark, glossy greenish sheen and a pale terminal edge. Facial area shows bare bluish skin around the eye contrasting with the olive cap.
Diet
Feeds on a mix of ground-dwelling insects, spiders, and other arthropods, supplemented by small lizards when available. Also consumes fruits and berries, especially during the dry season when invertebrates are less abundant. Forages by walking and making short hops, carefully probing leaf litter and low shrubs.
Preferred Environment
Primarily forages on the ground and in the lower understory of spiny thicket and dry forest. Edge habitats, thickets near clearings, and scrubby coastal areas are commonly used. Dense cover is preferred for protection while feeding.
