Kagus

Kagus are a group of large, ground-dwelling birds in the cuckoo family that are endemic to New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific. The best-known member is the kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus). Kagus belong to the genus Rhynochetos and are notable for their flightlessness and terrestrial lifestyle, adaptations that suit dense forest habitats.

Description and taxonomy: Kagus have predominantly grey plumage, a dark facial mask, and a crest of elongated feathers on the head. They are among the few cuckoos that are largely flightless, with strong legs adapted for walking and running through leaf litter in forests.

Habitat and range: They are native to New Caledonia’s forests, from lowland to montane areas. They rely on intact understory and dense cover for foraging, shelter, and nesting.

Behavior and diet: Kagus are shy and elusive, foraging primarily on the forest floor. Their diet includes invertebrates, seeds, and fruits. They communicate with calls that help maintain pair bonds and territory, and they typically move through the forest with careful, deliberate movements rather than rapid flight.

Reproduction: Clutch size is usually small, often a single egg, with both parents participating in incubation and chick rearing. The young require extended parental care as they grow and learn forest-foraging skills.

Conservation: The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists kagus as Endangered. Major threats include habitat loss due to logging and mining, and introduced predators such as cats, dogs, and rats. Conservation efforts focus on predator control, habitat protection and restoration, field research, and community engagement. The kagu is a symbol of New Caledonia’s unique biodiversity and a focal species for regional conservation initiatives.