Much cagou about something: New Caledonia’s favourite bird thriving after conservation push

Efforts to protect the flamboyant flightless bird, including managing predators, have seen cagou numbers grow in the Pacific territory

In the early hours of the morning, a powerful cry echoes through the rainforest in Farino, in southern New Caledonia. What sounds like a dog barking is actually the song of the cagou. The shy bird, with grey plumage and a distinctive crest, is difficult to see through the trees.

The striking bird is an important cultural symbol in the French Pacific territory, decorating postage stamps and banknotes. When it feels under attack, the cagou stands up straight and its crest shoots in the air as it approaches an opponent and growls. Yet the cagou, which is endemic to New Caledonia, faces a series of threats to its survival. Continue reading...


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