The Kagu, sometimes known as the Cagou, is a crested, long-legged, bluish-grey bird found only in New Caledonia’s deep mountain woods. Although a second species has been reported from the fossil record, it is the sole living member of Rhynochetos and the family Rhynochetidae.
It has pale grey plumage and vivid red legs and measures 55 cm (22 in) in length. Its ‘nasal corns’ are a distinguishing trait that no other bird has. It spends almost all of its time on or near the ground, hunting invertebrates and building a nest of sticks on the forest floor. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating and parenting a single egg. It is vulnerable to invasive predators and is on the verge of extinction, with about 250-1000 birds remaining in the wild.
Distribution
New Caledonia
Official estimate
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Clan
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
