Family Megapodes (Megapodiidae)
Vulnerable
Vanuatu Scrubfowl (Megapodius layardi)
Taxonomy
French: Mégapode de Layard German: Layard-Großfußhuhn Spanish: Talégalo de Nuevas Hébridas
Other common names:
Vanuatu Megapode
Taxonomy:
Megapodius layardi
Tristram
, 1879,Vaté, Vanuatu
.Distribution:
C & N Vanuatu, including Banks Is.
Descriptive notes
c. 42–45 cm. All dark brownish or plumbeous black; extensive pinkish-red bare skin on forehead and face; iris brown, bill pale yellow and legs and feet bright yellow.... read more
Voice
Especially vocal at dawn and dusk. Generally described as hoarse croaks or clucking notes.... read more
Habitat
Mostly found on floor of lowland forest or thicket; also occurs at medium altitudes to c. 800 m.... read more
Food and feeding
Said to take insects, grubs, worms, snails and other invertebrates; also fruit, seeds and other plant matter. Scratches in damp leaf litter... read more
Breeding
Apparently breeds year-round throughout range, especially Jun–Aug. Probably monogamous. Burrow nester, in burrows between decaying... read more
Movements
Sedentary. Sometimes flies off to roost on offshore islets. Prefers to run rather than fly away... read more
Status and conservation
VULNERABLE. Mace Lande: Vulnerable. Total population postulated to number maximum of c. 10,000 individuals; thought to be declining. Apparently still common in suitable... read more
Formerly included in M. freycinet; alternatively, linked with M. laperouse; genetic study indicates close relationship with M. pritchardii#R. Monotypic.