Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi Scientific name definitions

c. 42–45 cm (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). All dark brownish or plumbeous black (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ); extensive pinkish-red bare skin on forehead and face; iris brown, bill pale yellow and legs and feet bright yellow (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Sexes alike, and have head/neck more fully bare than any other Megapodius (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Juvenile duller, with browner legs and bill (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ), 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.

C & N Vanuatu, including Banks Is.

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.

Sedentary. Sometimes flies off to roost on offshore islets. Prefers to run rather than fly away from danger.

Said to take insects, grubs, worms, snails and other invertebrates; also fruit, seeds and other plant matter. Scratches in damp leaf litter for food.

Especially vocal at dawn and dusk (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Generally described as hoarse croaks or clucking notes (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). 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 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Birds also produce much softer calls while feeding (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ).

Apparently breeds year-round throughout range, especially Jun–Aug (3 Bowen, J. (1996). Notes on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 6(4): 401-408. Close ). Probably monogamous (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). 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 Bowen, J. (1996). Notes on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 6(4): 401-408. Close ); possibly also mound builder (on Banks Is), but no evidence of this from well-studied Ambrym I (3 Bowen, J. (1996). Notes on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 6(4): 401-408. Close ). Density of active burrows varies from 10·5 to 82·4 per ha (3 Bowen, J. (1996). Notes on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 6(4): 401-408. Close ). 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 Bowen, J. (1996). Notes on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 6(4): 401-408. Close ) deep and up to 200 cm long. Eggs (20–100 per burrow) laid late Nov or early Dec on Ambrym (3 Bowen, J. (1996). Notes on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 6(4): 401-408. Close ); shape and colour is similar to those of other Megapodius and to Macrocephalon maleo (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Incubation over 45 days; chicks pale buff-brown with darker barring above; weigh c. 60 g at hatching (1 Jones, D. N., R. W. R. J. Dekker, and C. S. Roselaar (1995). The Megapodes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ).

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 Foster, T. (1999). Update on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 9(1): 63-71. Close ) 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 Bowen, J. (1996). Notes on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 6(4): 401-408. Close ). In past, only most accessible laying sites harvested and mainly for local consumption rather than commercial profit (4 Foster, T. (1999). Update on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 9(1): 63-71. Close ), 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 Foster, T. (1999). Update on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 9(1): 63-71. Close ) and opportunistic hunting by local people (3 Bowen, J. (1996). Notes on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 6(4): 401-408. Close ) (permitted only Apr–Jun). Chicks occasionally caught and reared to eat (4 Foster, T. (1999). Update on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 9(1): 63-71. Close ). Incubation sites on beaches at risk from cyclones and storm waves (4 Foster, T. (1999). Update on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 9(1): 63-71. Close ). Measures proposed include: establishment of reserves around major laying grounds; implementation of fixed quotas for egg collectors (3 Bowen, J. (1996). Notes on the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Bird Conservation International. 6(4): 401-408. Close ); and stricter control of poachers. No birds known to be held in captivity.