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The species Snail-eating Coua is extinct. |
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Alternative name: Delalande's Coua
- Coua delalandei
Identification
56-57cm. A large terrestrial coua.
- Black upperparts with violet-blue sheen
- Long violet-blue tail with white tipps
- White throat to breast
- Rufous belly
- Blue bare skin on face, red eye
- Black bill
Sexes similar, juveniles unknown.
Distribution
Formerly on Nosy Boraha (Ile Sainte-Marie), a small island off northeast Madagascar.
Almost certainly extinct. Last reported in 1834. It's uncertain if the species ever occured on mainland Madagascar.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Habitat
Presumably restricted to primary forest near sea-level. Disappeared after deforestation of island.
Behaviour
Diet used to be large forest snails. They were obtained by breaking the snail against a stone anvil with its bill.
No information about breeding.
Presumably a resident and sedentary species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334221
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Snail-eating Coua. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 17 January 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Snail-eating_Coua
