Megapodius reinwardt
Orange-footed Scrub Fowl
©Toby Hudson: Cairns botanical gardens, Queensland, Australia
©Andrea Arbogast
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Galliformes
Family
Megapodiidae
Genus
Megapodius
Species
Megapodius reinwardt
Status
least concern
Colours
Distinguishing features
It is a terrestrial bird the size of a domestic chicken and dark-coloured with strong orange legs and a pointed crest at the back of the head. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 40 cm to 60 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Adults
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Orange-footed scrub fowl (Megapodius reinwardt)
Distribution and habitat preferences
This species comprises five subspecies found on many islands in Wallacea as well as southern New Guinea and northern Australia. It utilises a range of forest and scrub habitats and has colonised many small islands throughout its range. It is prolific in suburban Darwin gardens. (Wikipedia)
Local abundance
- Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia: First recorded at Lizard Island in 1977 (Atlas of Living Australia, 25 March 2012), the Orange-footed Scrubfowl has been seen more recently several times near the Research Station. In the early 1990s, a one-legged bird was seen frequently. Another was seen in the mid 2000s. The species is clearly not common on the island.
Diet
The Orange-footed Scrubfowl feeds on seeds, fallen fruit and terrestrial invertebrates. (Wikipedia)
