Kagu

Kagu
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gruiformes Family: Rhynochetidae Genus: Rhynochetus Species: jubatus
Binomial name
Rhynochetus jubatus

The Kagu, Rhynochetus jubatus is a long legged greyish bird found in dense mountain forests of New Caledonia. It is almost flightless, and builds a ground nest of sticks, laying a single egg. It has proved vulnerable to introduced rats and cats, and is on the verge of extinction.

The habitat and rarity of this species mean that little is known of its habits.

The Kagu is related to the rails, but is in a family of its own, Rhynochetidae.

The relationships of this species are shown below

Gruiformes

• Gruidae: cranes
• Aramidae: Limpkin
• Psophiidae: trumpeters
• Rallidae: rails and crakes
• Heliornithidae: finfoots and sungrebes
• Rhynochetidae: Kagu
• Eurypigidae: Sunbittern
• Cariamidae: seriemas
• Otidae: bustards