Habitat: Rainforests with enclosed canopies in tropical North Queensland, wooded areas, swamps, gardens and monsoon forest areas
Distribution: Far north Northern Territory, top half of Cape York, coastal Far North Queensland and North Queensland down to Yeppoon
Conservation status: Listed as least concern under the Nature Conservation Act 1992
Main threats: Habitat loss, human developments, exploitation for food and introduced predators
About
The orange-footed scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt) is one of the three Australian megapodes. Megapodes are unique as they are the only family in the bird world that do not build a nest and incubate their eggs. Instead, they make a large mound, heaped up with organic matter and heat generated from the sun, to incubate their eggs. Sound familiar? Australian brush-turkeys are also members of this family.
Aptly named, the orange-footed scrubfowl can be easily recognised by its strong, orange legs and feet and by the distinctive crest at the back of its head. They can also be readily identified in flight by their awkward, trailing movement, with their legs dangling behind.
Orange-footed scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt)
The Orange-footed Scrubfowl is less vocal than other scrubfowl species, yet their distinctive territorial calls can still carry up to six kilometres under favourable conditions, most often at night. Males and females perform coordinated duets primarily during the breeding season, though these vocalisations may also occur throughout the year. In this way, they not only enrich the biodiversity of the Daintree Rainforest but also contribute to its unique soundscape.
Fun fact: These duets reflect the strong pair bond shared by orange-footed scrubfowls — a sporadic behaviour in birds, as duet calling is more commonly associated with songbird species.
Behaviours
The orange-footed scrubfowl feeds on the ground using its strong legs and large feet, raking the ground for mainly seeds, fallen fruits, berries, roots and shoots of flowers. While foraging and examining the ground, they scratch in leaf litter, leaving several piles of turned leaves behind them.
Like other megapodes, they are well-adapted to terrestrial life, both in feeding and breeding. They are often seen in pairs, holding and defending territories around their incubation mound. When threatened or alarmed, they bob their heads up and down. They can also react to potential danger by flying up into close trees.
During the breeding season, the female works hard to forage enough food to enable her to lay an egg that is more than 20% of her body mass. She lays an egg about 45cm deep in the mound, at intervals of 9-20 days. The incubation period can last up to 50 to 80 days.
When a chick is ready to hatch, it shreds the egg with its strong feet and sharp claws, which have small sheaths that protect the hatchling's face. These sheaths drop off after the hatching process. The chick will then rest in a small cavity in the mound. After 24-48 hours, it will emerge from the cavity and fly away to live a life completely independent of its parents.
A connected rainforest is essential for healthy ecosystems. You can help protect vital habitat in the Daintree here.