A member of the cuckoo family, the crested coua (Coua cristata) has a crest on its head which it raises when calling. Endemic to Madagascar, it is a relatively weak flier and prefers hopping through forests, savannas, and shrublands. The crested coua is very vocal, using a variety of calls for communication, territorial displays, and mating. The genus name Coua originates from the Malagasy word koa, the local name for these birds in Madagascar.
