New Guinea Megapode
NameNew Guinea Megapode
Common NameNew Guinea Megapode
Scientific NameMegapodius freycinet
FamilyMegapodiidae
Wingspan (cm)67.5
Length (cm)40
Weight (g)1150
Plumage DetailsThe body plumage is uniformly dark brown to blackish. The head features bare reddish-pink skin around the eyes and lores, contrasting with the dark feathers, and a small, pointed crest on the crown. The bill is typically yellowish or horn-colored.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include loud, far-carrying calls, often a series of repeated 'kweer' or 'kwe-kwe-kwe' notes, particularly prominent at dawn and dusk. They also produce grunting and clucking sounds.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, coastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeNative to New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Solomon Islands, inhabiting various islands within this region.
Identifying Featuresdark plumage, bare reddish face, small crest, large feet, mound-nesting behavior, ground-dwelling
Description
This medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird is characterized by its dark, almost blackish-brown plumage, a bare reddish-pink face, and a small, pointed crest. It is known for its unique behavior of building large mounds of decaying vegetation to incubate its eggs.
