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Heavily-built grayish ground-dwelling bird with short heavy legs, gray neck and chest, and strongly marked (camouflaged) back and tail.
Vulnerable
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Gnow, Mallee Hen, Native Pheasant, Lowan, Pheasant
At a glance
FamilyMegapodes
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatTimbered edges, open forest, suburban gardens with mature trees, and lightly wooded scrub.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from September to October.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Khristos Nizamis
Range map
Range map
992visible hotspots
7221visible records
3states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Scarce endemic resident of semi-arid open forest (typically the multi-stemmed
Behavior
It is notable for the large nesting mounds constructed by the males and lack of parental care after the chicks hatch. Breeding Pairs occupy a territory, but usually roost and feed apart; their social is sufficient to allow regular mating during the season and little else.
Gallery