Micronesian Megapode
Megapodius laperouse
A plump, mostly ground-dwelling bird with long yellowish legs, a dark blackish body, a tall light gray crest, a yellow bill, and a blood-red neck. Found in most habitats across the islands in its range, seemingly very adaptable. Local movements between islands frequently recorded. A loud species that calls often, most commonly giving a high-pitched squeaky “KEEK... KEEK KEEK” with a pause between the first and second notes. Unmistakable.
Identification
The Micronesian megapode is a stocky medium-sized bird that is mostly dark brownish-black in appearance. Its head is paler than its body, and it has a pale grey crest, a yellow bill, and large dull-yellow legs and feet.<p>It is 38 cm. Medium-sized, dark megapode with paler head. Mostly brownish-black with short pale grey crest. Yellow bill, red facial skin showing through thin feathers. Unusually large, dingy yellow legs and feet. Similar species. Could be confused with dark morphs of Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (or feral domestic stock).<p>Its call is a loud "keek", song often a duet with one bird beginning a rising and accelerating "keek-keek-keek-keek"- etc. culminating in a loud "kee-keer-kew" (Palau) or "keek-keer-keet" (Marianas), the other answering with a rising cackle that slows near the end. .<p>The Micronesian scrubfowl (Megapodius laperouse) is named after the French explorer Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse.
Taxonomy
Genus: Megapodius; Family: Megapodiidae; Order: Galliformes.
- Scientific name
- Megapodius laperouse
- Authority
- Gaimard, 1823
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Megapodiidae
- Genus
- Megapodius
Range and habitat
The bird is still to be found in the Marianas. It was previously recorded on the islands of Asuncion, Agrihan, Pagan, Aguijan and Alamagan. A remnant population of a few birds may persist on Saipan and Tinian, and it is extinct on Rota and Guam. Small groups of the birds frequent the thickets and scrublands of low outlying islands in the region; however, when present on larger islands, they may also be found inland on higher ground.<p>Its habitat is thick forest and it is omnivorous, eating a large variety of foods from the forest floor.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
The species is currently classified as near threatened because it has a very small range, restricted to isolated undisturbed offshore islets. Megapodius laperouse occurs on Palau and the Northern Mariana Islands, and is extirpated from Guam.<p>The introduction of dogs, cats, pigs, and rats is believed to have led to the decline of this species throughout most of the islands. Along with increased predation, during the Japanese occupation of the islands of Saipan and Tinian, most of the vegetation of both islands was burnt and replaced by large sugar cane farms.<p>It is estimated that only 2000–2500 of the species remain. It can be found in the island nation of Palau, and undisturbed islands of the Northern Marianas chain, with several hundred on Sarigan. Reportedly, a small population has recently been reintroduced on Saipan.<p>The bird appears on the 2010 IUCN Red List Category (as evaluated by BirdLife International - the official Red List Authority for birds for IUCN). The species qualifies as "Endangered" because it has a very small range, restricted to isolated undisturbed offshore islets, with few birds elsewhere. Given the multiple threats across its range, it is likely to be suffering from a continuing decline.<p>It seems that the only way for the species to be safe is to protect a few small islands and release a small population of megapodes there. That way, a safe population is secured. On the larger and higher islands, an increase of people and introduced pests will sooner or later destroy any megapode populations.
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Simeulue Scops-Owl
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Small scops-owl with bright yellow eyes, found only on Simeulue. Almost uniformly rufous-brown, with very inconspicuous (often flattened) ear tufts. The only resident scops-owl on Simeulue; migrant Oriental Scops-Owls could also occur on the island, but average larger, and have a more well-defined facial disc. Utilizes a variety of wooded habitats, from pristine forests to plantations. Listen for its song, a series of hiccupy piping notes, somewhat reminiscent of a barbet. Also gives a series of short squeals, which are sometimes mixed in with the song.
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