Kagu

Rhynochetos jubatus

The kagu is a weak-flying forest bird endemic to New Caledonia. Diurnal pairs walk the forest floor in search of animal prey.

Key facts

Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) is a carnivore animal classified as Bird · Eurypygiformes · Rhynochetidae.
Primary habitats are forest, with a range across Australasian.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is pair, and conservation status is EN (Endangered).
The kagu is a weak-flying forest bird endemic to New Caledonia.
It uses moist forest and valley woodland with a developed leaf-litter floor.
Typical lifespan: 8-25 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It uses moist forest and valley woodland with a developed leaf-litter floor. Fallen leaves, logs, and soft soil provide feeding sites.

Wingspan is about 70-80 cm and weight about 700-1,100 g. Pale gray plumage, a long crest, red legs and bill, and patterned wings are distinctive.

Active by day, pairs patrol and defend territories on foot. When threatened, birds raise the crest and spread the wings in display.

It is carnivorous, eating earthworms, insects, and other small land animals. It probes leaf litter and soil with the bill.

Pairs nest on the ground and guard a small clutch. Chicks grow on the forest floor under close parental protection.

Its status is listed as Endangered. Its small island range makes it vulnerable to introduced predators and forest change.