Biak Megapode Megapodius geelvinkianus Scientific name definitions

36 cm; one female 525 g. Medium-sized, all-brown megapode with slight crest . Plumage is mostly dark grey-brown , upperparts with olive tinge; face reddish or bluish; legs red or dark grey. Differs from similar (and formerly conspecific) <em>M. freycinet</em> in slightly paler rear body, with more dusky brownish-olive tone above, less feathered throat and neck, and crest more rarely ending in sharp point.

Islands in Geelvink Bay (Biak, Numfor, Mios Num), off NW New Guinea.

Reported in primary forest, second growth, dry scrub and logged forest (2 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ); also in scrub close to a river. Regularly observed in disturbed habitat.

Not well known, although the species is said to be very vocal. Duet, with one bird giving a “keyeew-kyu-kyu”  , with most emphasis on first note  , and the second bird simultaneously uttering soft, clucking “urrr kuh-kuh-kuh...”; also various crowing and clucking calls.

VULNERABLE. From assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size, population estimated to number 2500–9999 mature individuals (equivalent to c. 3500–15,000 individuals in total). Suspected to be declining at moderate rate owing to continuing habitat loss and degradation combined with hunting pressure. Specific threats likely to include egg collecting, hunting (a documented threat to other species on the islands), and possibly predation by introduced mammals (3 Dekker, R. W. R. J., and P. J. K. McGowan (1995). Megapodes: An Action Plan for Their Conservation 1995–1999. International Union for Nature Conservation and Natural Resources, Gland, Switzerland. Close ). Much forest on Biak (particularly S plains) and Numfor already destroyed or degraded by logging and subsistence farming, and much of remaining forest is under pressure, although N part of island appears secure; a good extent of Supiori consists of virtually impenetrable forested limestone mountains, likely to be safe from habitat degradation. Two protected areas, Biak-Utara and Pulau Supiori Nature Reserves, cover substantial areas of lowland and hill forest on Biak and Supiori (4 Sujatnika, P. J., P. Jepson, T. R. Soehartono, M. J. Crosby, and A. Mardiastuti (1995). Melestarikan Keanekaragaman Hayati Indonesia: Pendekatan Daerah Burung Endemik. Conserving Indonesian Biodiversity: the Endemic Bird Area Approach. PHPA/BirdLife International, Jakarta, Indonesia. In Indonesian and English. Close ); a further reserve has been proposed for Numfor. Surveys are required on all islands where this species is known to occur to prepare a proper assessment of its distribution and current population, including habitat requirements and the threats to these. Fieldwork should be conducted to determine into its breeding biology. Management recommendations need to be drawn up, including measures to ensure adequate protection of nesting areas if different from non-breeding habitats. Potential introduction of ground predators should be prevented.