The Cagou: Symbol of New Caledonia

🌐 Endemic to New Caledonia, this ground-living bird is a real symbol of New Caledonia. Among the most elegant and enigmatic birds in the world, the Cagou is admired for its unique beauty and strange characteristics. This crested, long legged, grey bird is carnivorous. Their diet mostly consists of annelid worms, snails, and lizards. Living in such a wet and dense habitat, the kagu has evolved to have specialized feathers called powder downs which creates a powder that cleans and is waterproof. Their wings also play an important role as when open, a pattern of dark stripes can be seen and scare off potential predators. Other escape tactics include their head crest ruffling up like a cockatoo’s or their speed. Cagous form strong pair bonds that can last for years and vigorously defend territories. They lay a single large egg in a rough nest on the ground and the young birds can stay in the parental territory for up to six years and many have been seen helping raise its siblings. Both adults share incubation and feeding of the young bird. The Cagou had an important role in the traditional lives of the Kanak tribes of New Caledonia. In Hienghène, the north of Grande Terre, its name was given to people, its crest was used in the head-dresses of chiefs, and its calls were incorporated into war dances and considered messages to be interpreted by the chiefs. In Houaïlou people referred to the species as the “ghost of the forest“, mame inspired by its loud cries (or bark) in the early hours of the morning. the cagou is classified as an endangered species, with the current numbers estimated at somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 individuals. The easiest place to observe this emblematic animal is in the Parc zoologique et forestier in Nouméa or in its natural habitat such as the Blue River Park, a natural reserve about 90 mns south Nouméa or the Giant Fern Park in Farino. 📍 The video features the following locations: Blue River Park, Great South 📲 See more of New Caledonia: Subscribe on YouTube: Visit our website: Like our Facebook page: Follow us on Instagram: Scroll on our Tiktok: Say hello on X (Twitter): Check-out our Pinterest pins: Subscribe to our newsletter: 🎥 Video by: The Explorers