Northern New Guinea and offshore islands, from Geelvink (Cenderawasih) Bay east to Huon Gulf, and as far southern as Nassau Range, on southern slopes of Snow Mts; exact limits of range uncertain in many areas.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 10,000 - 1,000,000 (2010).
New Guinea Scrubfowl (Megapodius decollatus) [XC557700]
by Bas van Balen from Iniok, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea (call, calls)
New Guinea Scrubfowl (Megapodius decollatus) [XC140886]
by Iain Woxvold from Waropen Atas, Papua, Indonesia (song)
Subspecies
Formerly included in Dusky Scrubfowl (Megapodius freycinet). Generally considered to form part of the Dusky Scrubfowl (Megapodius freycinet) superspecies.
Known to hybridize with Melanesian Scrubfowl (Megapodius eremita) on Karkar I (off north-eastern New Guinea). Formerly considered polytypic, with acceptance of subspecies jobiensis, decollatus and huonensis. Name affinis may not be applicate to present species, in which case Megapodius decollatus would have priority.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet