Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus), New Caledonia.
Image: JJ Harrison, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- FaunaHub record reviewed
- Checked against IUCN
- Matches source — IUCN's 2019 global assessment of Rhynochetos jubatus says EndangeredChecked 2026-10-09 against IUCN's Red List export published 2026-07-28 · assessment
Conservation overview
The kagu is a near-flightless, ghost-grey bird found only in New Caledonia, with a shaggy crest. It is assessed as Endangered.
It is the sole survivor of an ancient bird lineage and nests on the ground.
Range & habitat
The forests of New Caledonia in the South Pacific.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Introduced predators (dogs, cats, rats, pigs)
- Habitat loss
- A small range
Why it matters
An ancient, near-flightless island bird with no close relatives, the kagu is a flagship for New Caledonia's unique forests and the danger introduced predators pose.
Sources
Sources for Kagu
- IUCN Red List — look up Kagu (authoritative status)
- BirdLife International
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the kagu so vulnerable to introduced predators?
It is near-flightless and nests on the ground, so dogs, cats, rats, and pigs can easily take eggs, chicks, and adults — a common fate for island birds that evolved without such predators.
Why is the kagu Endangered?
Published assessments cite introduced predators, habitat loss, and its small island range. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.