Content Starts Here
megapode
Encyclopaedia Search
Megapode
Any of a group of chickenlike birds found in the Malay Archipelago and Australia. They pile up large mounds of vegetable matter, earth, and sand 4 m/13 ft across, in which to deposit their eggs, then cover the eggs and leave them to be incubated by the heat produced by the rotting vegetation. There are 19 species, all large birds, 50–70 cm/20–27.5 in in length, with very large feet. They include brush turkeys. (Family Megapodiidae, order Galliformes.)
In some species the male bird feels the mound with his tongue and adds or takes away vegetation to provide the correct temperature.
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
Advertisement starts
Advertisement ends
Related Links
Moldova Flag
The bison's head, star, rose, and crescent are traditional symbols of Moldavia. The colours are based on the Romanian flag. Effective date: 3 November 1990.
>>
Advertorial
Find out how to buy the things you've always wanted and sell the things you don't on ebay.
Font size
Mail
My account
Help
Community
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products
