Photo: Walter Lawry Buller (1838-1906) / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Tongan Megapode
Megapodius pritchardii
Tongan Megapode (Megapodius pritchardii) — Gamebirds of Oceans & Seabirds.
The Tongan Megapode (Megapodius pritchardii) is a member of the Megapodiidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 365 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Megapodiidae Megapodes
- Genus Megapodius
- Species pritchardii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 365 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Megapodiidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Tongan Megapode is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Tongan Megapode is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Tongan Megapode (Megapodius pritchardii) belongs to the Megapodiidae family of the order Galliformes. It is found across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO Niuafo'ou (nw Tonga, sc Polynesia).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 365 g, with a wing length of about 17.7 cm and a tail of around 5.6 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 57 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Tongan Megapode?
The Tongan Megapode is a large bird that weighs around 365 g.
Where does the Tongan Megapode live?
The Tongan Megapode is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO Niuafo'ou (nw Tonga, sc Polynesia), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Tongan Megapode belong to?
The Tongan Megapode (Megapodius pritchardii) belongs to the Megapodiidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Tongan Megapode eat?
The Tongan Megapode is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Tongan Megapode migrate?
The Tongan Megapode is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Tongan Megapode endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Tongan Megapode make?
1 real field recording of the Tongan Megapode — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Tongan Megapode's range?
The Tongan Megapode has a mapped global range of about 57 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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