Justification This species qualifies as Endangered because it has a very small range, restricted to isolated undisturbed offshore islets, with few birds elsewhere. Given the multiple threats across its range, it is likely to be suffering from a continuing decline.

Family/Sub-family Megapodiidae

Species name author Gaimard, 1823

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 38 cm. Medium-sized, dark megapode with paler head. Mostly brownish-black with short pale grey crest. Yellow bill, red facial skin showing through thin feathers. Unusually large, dingy yellow legs and feet. Similar spp. Could be confused with dark morphs of Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (or feral domestic stock). Voice Call a loud keek, song often a duet with one bird beginning a rising and accelerating keek-keek-keek-keek- etc. culminating in a loud kee-keer-kew (Palau) or keek-keer-keet (Marianas), the other answering with a rising cackle that slows near the end. Hints Often shy and secretive, but becomes relatively tame on inhabited islands where protected from disturbance. Visits nesting mounds several times a day.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,000 - 2,500

decreasing

840 km²

No

Range & population Megapodius laperouse occurs on Palau and the Northern Mariana Islands (to USA), and is extirpated from Guam (to USA). In Palau, race senex is locally common on limestone and outlying islands, e.g. Kayangel where there are hundreds¹², but rare on larger volcanic islands, e.g. Babeldaob. In 1991, the population was estimated at 497 birds, excluding Kayangel, in 2005 a repeat survey found similar numbers, though there was evidence of a decline in some areas^4,5. In the Marianas, nominate laperouse is mainly restricted to islands north of Saipan (including Farallon de Medinilla⁷). In 1997, the population was estimated at 1,440-1,975 birds (the largest subpopulation being 545-810 on Sarigan)⁹. There was a small population on Aguijan, possibly a persisting reintroduced population (a few birds) on Tinian^6,9 and a small reintroduced population (14 birds) on Saipan¹.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It prefers limestone forest, occasionally occurring in adjacent secondary forest and dense coconut groves⁹. It is omnivorous, taking a wide variety of foods from the forest floor including insects, crabs and plant matter^3,9. Nominate laperouse nests in burrows in sun-warmed cinder fields or geothermally-heated areas⁹. Race senex nests in mounds made from leaf-litter and sand³.

Threats Forests are periodically degraded by typhoons and damaged by feral herbivores, sometimes resulting in the complete loss of topsoil, and consequent reduction of food and nesting sites. Volcanic eruptions burying vegetation and nesting areas in fine cinders are a continuing possibility⁹. Birds are hunted, eggs are collected^3,9, and both are taken by introduced predators, e.g. monitor lizard Varanus indicus, rats Rattus spp., feral dogs, cats and pigs⁹. The accidental introduction of brown tree snake Boiga irregularis from Guam to other islands is potentially a serious threat⁹. In Palau, there is increasing tourist use of beaches⁸ and possible disturbance to nest-sites.

Conservation measures underway A recovery plan exists and the species is protected by federal and local laws⁹. In the Marianas, more surveys are planned⁹. The most significant conservation action to date has been its re-introduction to Saipan in the 1960s and 1970s by local islanders⁹. In 1998 and 1999, feral herbivores were removed from Sarigan¹¹. The uninhabited islands of Asuncion, Maug, Uracus and Guguan are wildlife sanctuaries⁹. In Palau, the Ngerukewid Islands Wildlife Reserve protects 50-80 birds¹⁰. There are plans to eradicate rats from the atoll of Kayangel¹².

Conservation measures proposed Conduct detailed censuses (including mapping nesting sites). Develop a long-term monitoring programme. Continue ecological research. In Palau, determine the risk of human disturbance to nest sites. In the Marianas, preserve remnant forest from development and feral ungulates. Throughout its range, selectively control cats, rats, and monitor lizards, and protect all islands from the introduction of the brown tree-snake. Implement an education programme to discourage hunting of the species. Eradicate rats from Kayangel.

References Baker et al. (in press). 1. Craig (1996). 2. Dekker et al. (2000). 3. Engbring (1988). 4. Engbring (1992). 5. Engbring and Pratt (1985). 6. J. Lepson in litt. (1999). 7. Lusk et al. (2000a). 8. Stinson and Glass (1992). 9. USFWS (1998a). 10. Wiles and Conry (1990). 11. G. Wiles in litt. (1999). 12. J. Millet in litt. (2007).

Text account compilers Aidan Keane (World Pheasant Association), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Contributors Jaan Lepson (Massey University), James Millet (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), G. Wiles (Massey University)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Megapodius laperouse. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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