Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi Scientific name definitions
- VU Vulnerable
- Names (19)
- Monotypic
Text last updated September 11, 2015
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Species names in all available languages
Language | Common name |
---|---|
Catalan | megàpode de les Vanuatu |
Czech | tabon vanuatský |
Dutch | Vanuatuboshoen |
English | Vanuatu Megapode |
English (United States) | Vanuatu Megapode |
French | Mégapode de Layard |
French (France) | Mégapode de Layard |
German | Vanuatu-Großfußhuhn |
Japanese | バヌアツツカツクリ |
Norwegian | vanuatuovnhøne |
Polish | nogal żółtonogi |
Russian | Вануатский большеног |
Serbian | Magapoda sa Vanuatua |
Slovak | tabon žltonohý |
Spanish | Talégalo de Nuevas Hébridas |
Spanish (Spain) | Talégalo de Nuevas Hébridas |
Swedish | vanuatustorfotshöna |
Turkish | Vanuatu Megapodu |
Ukrainian | Великоніг вануатський |
Megapodius layardi Tristram, 1879
Definitions
- MEGAPODIUS
- megapodius
- layardi
The Key to Scientific Names
Legend Overview
Field Identification
c. 42–45 cm (1). All dark brownish or plumbeous black (1); extensive pinkish-red bare skin on forehead and face; iris brown, bill pale yellow and legs and feet bright yellow (1). Sexes alike, and have head/neck more fully bare than any other Megapodius (1). Juvenile duller, with browner legs and bill (1), becoming blacker on body and wings as they develop bright red facial skin and yellow legs. Introduced Gallus gallus chicks and females differ from immature megapodes in patterned brown plumage and grey-brown legs.
Systematics History
Subspecies
Distribution
C & N Vanuatu, including Banks Is.
Habitat
Mostly found on floor of lowland forest or thicket; also occurs at medium altitudes to c. 800 m. Normally breeds near coast and in other volcanically heated areas. Appears more tolerant of habitat degradation than previously thought, having been recorded in gardens and degraded forest, albeit at much lower densities.
Movement
Sedentary. Sometimes flies off to roost on offshore islets. Prefers to run rather than fly away from danger.
Diet and Foraging
Said to take insects, grubs, worms, snails and other invertebrates; also fruit, seeds and other plant matter. Scratches in damp leaf litter for food.
Sounds and Vocal Behavior
Especially vocal at dawn and dusk (1). Generally described as hoarse croaks or clucking notes (1). Disyllabic “took-tooorrr” lasting 4–5 seconds with second part increasing in volume slightly, and which is reportedly given in duet by male and female (1). Birds also produce much softer calls while feeding (1).
Breeding
Apparently breeds year-round throughout range, especially Jun–Aug (3). Probably monogamous (1). Burrow nester, in burrows between decaying roots of trees, in burrows (of leaves, twigs and sand) at large communal nesting grounds in volcanically heated soils, and in burrows on sun-exposed beaches (3); possibly also mound builder (on Banks Is), but no evidence of this from well-studied Ambrym I (3). Density of active burrows varies from 10·5 to 82·4 per ha (3). Laying grounds vary in size: under 50 cm wide, where used by 1 female only; up to 10 m wide, where communal, with many burrows. Burrows 30–200 cm (3) deep and up to 200 cm long. Eggs (20–100 per burrow) laid late Nov or early Dec on Ambrym (3); shape and colour is similar to those of other Megapodius and to Macrocephalon maleo (1). Incubation over 45 days; chicks pale buff-brown with darker barring above; weigh c. 60 g at hatching (1).
Conservation Status
VULNERABLE. Mace Lande: Vulnerable. Total population postulated to number maximum of c. 10,000 individuals; thought to be declining. Apparently still common in suitable habitat, with density of up to 10 birds/km² in Loru Protected Area, Espiritu Santo. Perhaps extirpated on Tanna, although alternatively may have never occurred there. Breeding grounds and general habitat threatened on some islands, e.g. Efate, due to encroachment of agriculture and other forms of development. Forest clearance potentially also a threat on Ambrym (4) and in other areas cattle grazing has degraded large areas of forest understorey. Eggs collected on local scale for centuries, and much appreciated as source of protein; up to four visits to harvest eggs recorded p.a. on Ambrym (3). In past, only most accessible laying sites harvested and mainly for local consumption rather than commercial profit (4), with insignificant effects on species as whole; increase in human population, combined with greater mobility, suggests effective protection required to ensure long-term survival of species. Some losses caused by introduced predators, feral dogs (4) and opportunistic hunting by local people (3) (permitted only Apr–Jun). Chicks occasionally caught and reared to eat (4). Incubation sites on beaches at risk from cyclones and storm waves (4). Measures proposed include: establishment of reserves around major laying grounds; implementation of fixed quotas for egg collectors (3); and stricter control of poachers. No birds known to be held in captivity.