Family Megapodiidae
mound-builders or megapodes
(Also: megapodes)

Megapodiidae comprises six genera and 19 species. Taxa of Megapapodiidae are commonly referred to as scrub fowl (Macrocephalon, Megapodius, Eulipoa); brush-turkeys (Alectura, Aepypodius, Talegalla), or mallee fowl (Leipoa). Megapodes are chicken-like birds with notably large feet. Instead of using body heat to directly incubate eggs, megapodes passively incubate eggs. Megapodes are sometimes referred to as mound builders because of their habit of burying their eggs under mounds of decaying vegetation. Some megapodes place their eggs in shallow pits or burrows to be warmed geothermally or with sun-warmed sand. Upon hatching, the feathered chicks, dig out from under the mound (or emerge from the burrow) and are able to forage, walk, run and fly. Parental care of emergent chicks has not been observed. ()

Megapodes are found in the Oriental and Australian regions east of Wallace's line. They range from Australia, New Guinea (and surrounding islands) through eastern Indonesia to the Philippines. ()

Megapodes inhabit a diversity of forest types (wet, dry, humid, swamp, gallery, monsoon) in lowland and highland regions. Some species occupy scrub forests, urban areas, and semi-arid habitats. ()

Analyses of molecular and morphological evidence generally support the monophyly of Megapodiidea and its inclusion within Galliformes. Relationships within Galliformes itself, however, remain unclear. Some or all of the following groups are variously recognized: Megapodiidae (scrub fowl, brush-turkeys, mallee fowl), Cracidae (currasows, guans, chachalacas), Phasianidae (pheasants, partridges, francolins, Old World quail), Phasianidae (grouse), Phasianidae (turkeys), Numididae (guineafowl), Odontophoridae (New World quails). Molecular and morphological analyses have generated varying hypotheses of the relationships of Megapodiidae within Galliformes. Two currently debated hypotheses suggest that either Megapodiidae is sister to Cracidae or that Megapodiidae is sister to all other groups within Galliformes (including Cracidae). Historical relationships within Megapodiidae remain uncertain. The number of reported genera ranges from six to seven and the number of reported species ranges from 19 to 22. Taxa of Megapapodiidae are commonly referred to as scrub fowl (Macrocephalon, Megapodius, Eulipoa); brush-turkeys (Alectura, Aepypodius, Talegalla), or mallee Fowl (Leipoa). ()

Megapodes are medium to large chicken-like birds with large feet. Adult body measurements are variable, from 50 cm to 70 cm in length and 275 g to 2950 g in weight. Megapodes are generally brown to black in color. Some species have a prominent head casque, wattles or bare heads and necks with brightly colored skin. Most species are sexually monomorphic in appearance, although one is dimorphic in size (females smaller), coloration (females less brightly colored) and wattles (female wattles absent). Upon hatching, chicks are covered with brown or buffy feathers (not down). Weight at hatching is variable, perhaps ranging from 80 g to 173 g. ()

No specific information was found concerning longevity for this family.

Megapodes are mainly terrestrial ground dwelling birds that move about mostly by walking. Some species fly frequently while others fly mainly to roost in trees or to escape predation. They are sedentary and generally do not migrate. Brush turkeys and mallee fowl are largely solitary whereas other species appear to live in pairs. Some megapodes congregate and roost in large numbers.

Mound construction entails digging and scraping with the feet and toes, and the collection and mixing of organic materials. Construction of the incubation mound may be done by the male alone or jointly by the mated pair. Male and female megapodes have been observed to monitor the temperature of the incubation chamber. The head is inserted into a previously excavated chamber that leads to the core of the mound. Females generally check the temperature of a mound just prior to laying. Males often monitor temperature during the incubation period.

Intra- and inter-sexual conflicts occur in conjunction with competition for resources (incubation sites, females, food items). Aggressive interactions include chases, pecks, threat displays and wing-blows. Submission appears to include a drawing in of the neck and movement away from dominant bird. Chicks appear to avoid one another during the first weeks after emergence. If chicks do meet, the interactions are often agonistic. ()

Brush turkeys have colorful head and neck skin, inflatable neck sacs, and head combs that are likely used in visual signaling. Coloration of these parts becomes more pronounced during the breeding season and during copulatory activities. The combs and neck sacs of males become enlarged during the breeding season.

Megapode vocalizations generally entail clucking, crowing or booming. Clucking, squawking or grunting may be used as short distance intraspecific contact calls. Crowing is generally a loud repetitive call that may be heard day or night. Crowing carries long distances and may function as territorial cries or as contact calls between mated pairs. Pairs may duet by crowing. Booming is deep and resonant. Booming may occur during male-male interactions or when a male is alone at his incubation site. The function of booming may be as a social signal between males or as an advertisement to females. ()

Megapodes are omnivores, known to eat plant material, invertebrates and small vertebrates. The plant material they eat includes: seeds, fruits, berries, various sprouts/shoots, foliage and flowers. Invertebrates consumed include: termites, ants, cockroaches, grasshoppers, dragonflies, spiders, wasps, centipedes, snails, worms, small crabs. Small vertebrates include frogs and small lizards. ()

Known predators of megapodes include omnivorous and carnivorous mammals and include: red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), cats (Felidae), leopards (Panthera), civet-cats (Viverridae), feral dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), snakes (Serpentes) and raptors (Falconiformes). ()

Megapodes may influence the local ecosystem by dispersing seeds or altering the habitat via construction of incubation mounds/burrows.

Megapodes may damage home gardens as a result of mound construction activities. Plantations and farms suffer losses of shoots and seedlings due to megapode foraging activities. ()

Humans collect the eggs and hunt the adults of many megapode species. These items are either consumed directly or sold in local markets. ()

Ten species of megapodes are included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. One species, nevafou megapode (Megapodius pritchardii), is listed as 'Critically Endangered'. Two species, Maleo megapode (Macrocephalon maleo) and Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse), are listed as 'Endangered'. Seven species are listed as 'Vulnerable'. Major threats include habitat loss, egg collection and introduced species. ()