Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Melanesian Megapode
Megapodius eremita
Melanesian Megapode (Megapodius eremita) — Gamebirds of Australia & Oceania.
The Melanesian Megapode (Megapodius eremita) is a member of the Megapodiidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 677 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Megapodiidae Megapodes
- Genus Megapodius
- Species eremita
Where it lives
Karkar (north of northeastern New Guinea), Bismarck Arch. to Solomon Is. (except Rennell and Temotu)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 677 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Megapodiidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Melanesian Megapode is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Melanesian Megapode is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Melanesian Megapode (Megapodius eremita) is a species of bird in the Megapodiidae family, part of the order Galliformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Karkar (n of ne New Guinea), Bismarck Arch. to Solomon Is. (except Rennell and Temotu).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 677 g, with a wing length of about 21.3 cm and a tail of around 6.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 84,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Melanesian Megapode?
The Melanesian Megapode is a large bird that weighs around 677 g.
Where does the Melanesian Megapode live?
The Melanesian Megapode is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Karkar (n of ne New Guinea), Bismarck Arch. to Solomon Is. (except Rennell and Temotu), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Melanesian Megapode belong to?
The Melanesian Megapode (Megapodius eremita) belongs to the Megapodiidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Melanesian Megapode eat?
The Melanesian Megapode is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Melanesian Megapode migrate?
The Melanesian Megapode is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Melanesian Megapode endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Melanesian Megapode make?
1 real field recording of the Melanesian Megapode — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Melanesian Megapode's range?
The Melanesian Megapode has a mapped global range of about 84,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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