This species of Aves is very special. The Moluccan megapode is also known to be called the Moluccan Scrubfowl, Wallace’s Scrubfowl, and Painted Megapode. This bird is special because its vulnerable to being extinct.
 

The Moluccan megapode is generally a small bird with only being 31 cm long. The coloration of the moluccan is green plumage, blue-gray belly, and bare pink skin. One unique adaptation is their voice, generally very loud to scare off predators from nesting grounds. Some identifying characteristics are its black bill and reddish-maroon feathers with grey stripes.
 

This species of megapode lives in dense evergreen forests, coastal scrub, and beaches. They do well in this habitat because on the beaches its a great place to lay their eggs nocturnally (at night). This bird originated from Indonesia but now lives on the Maluku Islands, Ambon, Ternate, and Bacan. There is only about 20,000-49,000 of this species left. The population shrinking greatly; its vulnerable to being extinct. People are hunting these bird’s eggs, selling them for them to be eaten. Also the birds are over producing. Indonesia has made it illegal to hunt the eggs but it still happens today.
 

The Moluccan megapode is an omnivore, but loves to eat small invertebrates and vertebrates. They usually eat during the day, and use their beak to eat. They eat seeds and insects and compete with the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) for food. They have a big predator threat. Civilization, people eating their eggs, destruction of nesting sites, and also monitor lizards. This species saves itself by its own camouflage and hiding in its habitat.
 

This bird has been very interesting to learn about. One thing that stood out to me is that they lay their eggs nocturnally. Also I learned that this bird is close to being extinct.

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Author: Sarah S.

Date Published: 2/19/14

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Sources: www.birdlife.org, www.iucnredlist.org, www.wikipedia.org, birdbase.ies.hro.or.jp, animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu

 

Photo Credit: http://www.birdquest.co.uk