Megapodes
Megapodes
Megapodiidae
The Incubator Birds: Megapodes (Megapodiidae), also known as mound-builders, are unique, chicken-like birds found in Australasia and Southeast Asia. Unlike most birds, they don’t incubate their eggs with body heat but instead rely on external heat sources like sun-warmed sand, volcanic soil, or massive composting mounds. The Australian Brush-Turkey (Alectura lathami) and the Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) are well-known examples, both carefully maintaining their mounds to ensure the perfect temperature for egg development. Some species, like the Melanesian Scrubfowl (Megapodius eremita), even use geothermal heat from volcanic activity. Once hatched, megapode chicks are entirely independent, digging their way out of the mound and flying within hours—an extraordinary trait among birds. They receive no parental care, relying on instinct to survive in the wild. Though many megapodes are still common, habitat destruction and egg harvesting threaten some species. Their unusual nesting strategy and self-sufficient chicks make them one of the most fascinating bird families in the world.