Family Megapodes (Megapodiidae)
Vulnerable
Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)
Taxonomy
French: Léipoa ocellé German: Thermometerhuhn Spanish: Talégalo leipoa
Taxonomy:
Leipoa ocellata
Gould
, 1840,Swan River, Western Australia
.Distribution:
SW & S Australia E to NW Victoria and EC New South Wales.
Introduced to Kangaroo I (off South Australia), where probably now extinct.
Descriptive notes
c. 60 cm; male 2000–2800 g, female 1520–2050 g. Most distinctive megapode, with pale, patterned plumage; flattened crest. Predominantly grey-brown below with... read more
Voice
Most frequently heard is territorial call, usually near nesting mound, a loud booming (by male)... read more
Habitat
Woodland and scrub of semi-arid areas in temperate zone, especially areas dominated by dwarf mallee... read more
Food and feeding
Omnivorous, but probably mainly granivorous. Buds, flowers, fruits and seeds of shrubs, especially legumes; also seeds, flowers and leaves... read more
Breeding
Mound building starts Mar–May, but more usually Jun–Aug; laying starts mid Sept/mid Oct in W New South Wales. Generally... read more
Movements
Sedentary; male tends mound for 9–11 months of year, at times returning at hourly intervals.... read more
Status and conservation
VULNERABLE. Mace Lande: Vulnerable. Total population was thought to number only 1000–10,000 individuals, and to be declining, but at start of 21st century was estimated... read more
E populations sometimes split off into separate race, rosinae#R. Monotypic.