Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), male preparing a nest, family Megapodiidae, endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.

Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), family Megapodiidae, endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata, family Megapodiidae, order Galliformes, Australia

The male constructs large nesting mounds or soil and decaying plant material, where the female lays eggs in a nest chamber dug by the male. The male guards the mound, but neither parent provides parental care once the chicks hatch.

Found at the edge of scrub habitat in southern Australia.

photograph by JJ Harrison

photograph by Chris Murray

photograph by Peter Dunstan

Nicobar Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis

Found in the Nicobar Islands of India. It builds a large mound nest with soil and vegetation, with the eggs hatched by the heat produced by decomposition. They move in pairs or small groups. The group keeps in touch with cackling calls.

THE SHEER TERROR MAY BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU TO HANDLE!!

Australian Brushturkey (Alectura lathami), family Megapodidae, order Galliformes, QLD, Australia

Australian Brushturkey (Alectura lathami), male, family Megapodidae, order Galliformes, Australia