Melanesian Scrubfowl (Megapodius eremita)

Other Names (World)
Melanesian Scrubfowl, Melanesian Megapode

Family
Megapodiidae (Megapodes)

Size
34 cm

First Described (Guide)
Hartlaub, 1867

Habitat
Subtropical and tropical lowland rainforest and offshore islands.

Range (Guide)

Papua New Guinea (B), Solomon Islands (B).

Ninigo Group through Admiralty Islands, New Britain, New Ireland and rest of Bismarck Archipelago to Solomon Is.

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).

Status LC
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Voice
Loud chuckles, chortles and screams, uttered both during the day and night.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (11)...)

Melanesian Megapode (Megapodius eremita) [XC289749]
by Ethan Linck from Mt Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands (call, song)

Melanesian Megapode (Megapodius eremita) [XC32960]
by Niels Krabbe from Ranongga, Western Province, Solomon Islands (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 New Guinea Scrubfowl (Megapodius decollatus) on Karkar I (off north-eastern New Guinea). Reported to hybridize with Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt) in D'Entrecasteaux Is and Louisiade Archipelago, where present species not known to occur. Subspecies brenchleyi traditionally accepted for birds of Solomon Is (including Bougainville I and Buka I), but validity doubtful.

No subspecies.

References
See References.

Files:

More Information

BirdLife International

For more information about the Melanesian Scrubfowl see... Show Articles

BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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