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The “bigfoot” of birds: IBCP co-authors new publication on megapodes

Updated: Jul 23

22 July, 2024

Micronesian Megapode (Megapodius laperouse). Photo by Lainie Berry.

 

While evidence of “bigfoot,” a mythical large and hairy humanoid, remains elusive despite thousands of reported sightings, the avian version of bigfoot is undeniably real. Megapodes are members of the avian family Megapodiidae, whose scientific name means “big foot.” They include 21 species throughout Australasia and the Indo-Pacific region. They are the only birds in the world that do not use their own body heat to incubate their eggs, but instead use environmental heat sources. Many megapode species build mounds in which they bury their eggs, which are then warmed by decaying organic matter. Chicks hatching from these eggs then dig themselves out, emerging completely independent of their parents.

Micronesian Megapode juvenile. Photo by Lainie Berry.

 

Megapodes’ unique reproductive system unfortunately can also make them especially vulnerable to human predation, as mounds used for egg laying may be located and targeted by egg hunters – demonstrating the consequences of going against the classic advice, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” This has contributed to the situation today where half (11 of 21 extant species) of megapode species are currently at risk of extinction. However, a challenge to conservation efforts is the fact that so much remains unknown about the ecology and conservation needs of many megapode species.

Tongan Megapode (Megapodius pritchardii) eggs. Photo by Garth Rogers and Wendy Pond, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

 

In a new publication with the Houston Museum of Natural Science, IBCP scientists teamed up with Paul Radley of the University of Hawai’i to synthesize recent scientific research on megapodes and identify knowledge gaps and research priorities. Although many advances have been made in understanding megapode physiology and ecology in the past two decades, there is a wide disparity in research efforts among species exists. For example, Australian Brushturkeys (Alectura lathami) and Micronesian Megapodes (Megapodius laperouse) are the focus of many studies, while others, such as the Sula Megapode (Megapodius bernsteinii), Melanesian Megapode (Megapodius eremita), and Biak Megapode (Megapodius geelvinkianus), are completely absent from the scientific literature.

Australian Brushturkey (Alectura lathami). Photo by Aurélien Audevard.

 

Studies on megapode chick and adult survival and population trends are lacking but urgently needed. Conservation recommendations based on microhabitat preferences have been made for some species, but such information remains lacking for most species. Egg-collecting and deforestation are consistent threats to megapodes, almost all of which are forest-dwelling. In turn, engaging with local communities to limit egg-collecting and logging, and restore native habitat, will likely benefit a wide variety of megapode species, including those about which little is known. We hope this contribution improves the basis for conserving these marvelous and fascinating birds.

Orange-footed Megapode (Megapodius reinwardt). Photo by Aurélien Audevard.

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