Snail-eating Coua vs Lesser Roadrunner
Coua delalandei compared with Geococcyx velox
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Snail-eating Coua | Lesser Roadrunner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coua delalandei | Geococcyx velox |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Extinct | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) |
| Weight | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 184.1 g (6.49 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Snail-eating Coua
Loud, far-carrying melodic call; rich clear resonant notes audible through tropical forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Lesser Roadrunner
Loud, call carrying far; distinctive hollow notes audible across dry open Central American terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Snail-eating Coua
Lesser Roadrunner
About These Birds
Snail-eating Coua
Snail-eating Coua (Coua delalandei) — ~55 cm. Extinct. Last recorded on Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar, in the mid-19th century. Large terrestrial cuckoo; purplish-blue and brown plumage; bare blue orbital skin. Presumed a specialist predator of large land snails. Driven to extinction by hunting and introduced predators.
Lesser Roadrunner
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) — 46–52 cm. Similar to Greater Roadrunner but smaller with a more streaked breast. Found in dry scrub, open woodland, and arid valleys from Mexico to Nicaragua. Non-parasitic; carnivorous; eats insects and small vertebrates. Shares the same terrestrial running lifestyle as its northern relative.