Megapodes
Alectura
Aepypodius
Talegalla
Brush-Turkeys
Leipoa
Malleefowl
Macrocephalon
Maleo
Eulipoa
Megapodius
Scrubfowl
Acknowledgements
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The family Megapodidae contains 22 species of galliformes that are found in Australasia. Megapodes resemble most of other members of the order, but it's their unique nesting and incubation technique that seperates this family from the others. Most would know Megapodes by another common name, the Mound-Builders. Megapodes rely on building mounds of forest litter in which to bury their eggs and allow the heat from decomposition to incubate their eggs, others will lay their eggs in burrows and allow geothermal activity or solar radiation to incubate their eggs. Unlike most birds, the chicks emerge from their natural nests completely able to fend for themselves with no assistance from the parents. Megapodes face the same threat as most galliformes, habitat loss and exploitation by man have placed several species as endangered.
Genus Alectura
One species
- Australian Brush-turkey (Alectura lathami)
Genus Aepypodiu
Two species
- Wattled Brush-turkey (Aepypodius arfakianus)
- Bruijn's Brush-turkey (A. bruijnii)
Genus Talegalla
Three species
- Red-billed Brush-turkey (Talegalla cuvieri)
- Black-billed Brush-turkey (T. fuscirostris)
- Brown-collared Brush-turkey (T. jobiensis)
Genus Leipoa
One species
- Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)
Genus Macrocephalon
One species
- Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo)
Genus Eulipoa
One species
- Moluccan Megapode (Eulipoa wallacei)
Genus Megapodius
Thirteen species:
- Micronesian Megapode (Megapodius laperouse)
- Niuafo’ou Megapode (M. pritchardii)
- Nicobar Megapode (M. nicobariensis)
- Philippine Megapode (M. cumingii)
- Sula Megapode (M. bernsteinii)
- Dusky Megapode (M. freycinet)
- Biak Megapode (M. geelvinkianus)
- Melanesian Megapode (M. eremita)
- Vanuatu Megapode (M. layardi)
- Orange-footed Megapode (M. reinwardt)
- New Guinea Megapode (M. affinis)
- Forsten's Megapode (M. forstenii)
- Tanimbar Megapode (M. tenimberensis)
Acknowledgements & Credits
I want to give special thanks to the following indviduals for the help with photographs and information for the pheasants and peafowl section of gbwf.org. Your contributions are very much appreciated!
- World Pheasant Association
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Information found on the species accounts/fact sheets have come from personal experience, personal communications, publications and books. The information found within is designed as an introduction to game bird aviculture. I cannot guarantee what has worked for one will work for another. These birds can be unpredictable, and we learn something new from them every day. Those interested in this hobby for the first time should check with their local conservation departments for permit information before purchasing birds. Remember, game birds are living creatures, not show pieces or ornaments. We encourage all interested in this hobby to provide optimal care for their birds. Beginners to this hobby should learn as much as they can from other keepers, books and publications before purchasing birds. Many forums are available through the internet, and many keepers will be happy to share their personal experiences about a particular species. If you cannot properly house or care for these birds, DO NOT buy any. We do not encourage hybridization of any pure species or subspecies of wildlife. Responsible animal ownership is the goal and education is the key. The webmaster of this site does not offer any birds for sale. gbwf.org will always be a work in progress, with new information added often. Advertisement opportunities are available, please e-mail for more information. Adobe reader will be required for viewing some of the content on gbwf.org. gbwf.org best viewed using Internet Explorer 7.
