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GALLERIES > BIRDS > MEGAPODIIDAE > ORANGE-FOOTED MEGAPODE [Megapodius reinwardt]



Orange-footed Scrubfowl Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Kingfisher Park, Queensland, Australia
GPS: -16.6S, 145.3E, elev=1,384' MAP
Date: April 11, 2017
ID : B13K3291 [4896 x 3264]

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SPECIES INFO

The Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Megapodius reinwardt, is a small megapode of the family Megapodiidae.

This species comprises five subspecies found on many islands in Wallacea as well as southern New Guinea and northern Australia. It is a terrestrial bird the size of a domestic chicken and dark-coloured with strong orange legs and a pointed crest at the back of the head. It utilises a range of forest and scrub habitats and has colonised many small islands throughout its range. In general, populations seem to be stable and the conservation status of the species is considered to be of Least Concern.

The Orange-footed Scrubfowl feeds on seeds, fallen fruit and terrestrial invertebtrates. As with other megapodes, it nests in large mounds of sand, leaf litter and other debris where the heat generated by the decomposition of organic material serves to incubate the eggs. Construction and maintenance of the mounds, which may reach 4.5 m in height and 9 m in diameter, takes place throughout the year.

Some of the subspecies may be treated as full species, such as the Tanimbar Scrubfowl (Megapodius tenimberensis) and Biak Scrubfowl (Megapodius geelvinkianus).





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