The Blue Coua, a member of the coua family, is a remarkable bird known for its large size, dark plumage, and long tail. It shares the characteristic restless and inquisitive nature typical of couas, often observed moving swiftly through trees, hopping or flopping, and occasionally indulging in impressive gliding flights with sporadic wingbeats.

Dressed in deep blue plumage throughout its body, the Blue Coua’s wings and tail shimmer with a violet sheen, adding to its allure. A brief crest adorns its blue head, while the area around its eyes exhibits exposed skin ranging from cobalt-blue to violet hues. Its bill is black, and its eyes showcase shades of brown to reddish-brown. Blackish hues tinge its legs and feet, completing its striking appearance.

Juvenile Blue Couas present a contrasting appearance with sooty-black plumage on their back, ɾumρ, and lower belly. Their wings display a more subdued shade of blue compared to adults, lacking the vibrant violet iridescence. Notably, the skin around their eyes is covered in feathers, unlike the bare skin seen in adults.

Endemic to Madagascar, the Blue Coua is predominantly found in the eastern and northwestern regions of the island. It frequents a variety of habitats, including primary rainforests, secondary growth, deciduous forests, and mangroves. While it may occasionally be spotted in plantations like clove and cacao, it generally avoids dry forests. The Blue Coua’s habitat ranges from sea level to elevations of 1,800 meters, with the highest prevalence below 1,200 meters in southeastern Madagascar.

The Blue Coua’s diet consists of a diverse array of insects, chameleons, crаbs, frogs, fruits, and flowers. As an arboreal species, it actively forages from treetops to undergrowth, primarily occupying the midstorey. While it is often solitary or seen in pairs, small family groups may form after the breeding season. Courtship displays involve male courtship feeding, a behavior typical among Cuculidae birds.

Breeding occurs between July and December, mainly during the rainy season. The Blue Coua constructs its own nest using sticks, typically placing it in dense foliage between 3.5 and 10 meters above the ground. The female lays a single white egg, and both adults participate in incubation and chick feeding. However, specific incubation and nestling durations are not well-documented.