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 railss, but is classed in a family of its own, Rhynochetidae.

The relationships of this species are shown below

Gruiformes

  • Gruidae: craness
  • Aramidae: Limpkin
  • Psophiidae: trumpeterss
  • Rallidae: railss and crakes
  • Heliornithidae: finfoots and sungrebes
  • Rhynochetidae: Kagu
  • Eurypigidae: Sunbittern
  • Cariamidae: seriemas
  • Otidae: bustards