Megapode

Megapode is a common name for birds in the family Megapodidae, a group within the order Galliformes. They are notable for their unique method of incubating eggs: instead of warming eggs with body heat, they place eggs in mounds or other external heat sources. The heat is produced by the decomposition of vegetation, geothermal warmth, or direct solar heating. In many species, males are responsible for building and maintaining the incubation mounds, while females lay the eggs and then may depart.

Megapodes are native to Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and many Pacific islands. They are ground-dwelling birds with stout bodies, strong legs, and relatively short wings; they are generally shy and secretive, often feeding on seeds, fruits, and invertebrates.

Reproduction involves variable clutch sizes, with eggs incubated by environmental heat until hatching. Young hatchlings are precocial and leave the mound soon after hatching, capable of foraging on their own. The incubation period and mound-building strategies differ among species and heat sources.

Taxonomy places the family Megapodidae in several genera, most notably Megapodius and Leipoa, with Macrocephalon including the Sulawesi species known as the maleo. Classification has changed over time, and some authorities recognize additional genera or broader lumping.

Conservation concerns affect multiple megapode species. Habitat loss, hunting for eggs, and introduced predators threaten populations in parts of their range, leading to varying conservation statuses from least concern to endangered. Conservation efforts often focus on protecting nesting habitats and reducing egg harvest.