The Micronesian Scrubfowl or Micronesian Megapode, Megapodius laperouse, is an endangered megapode which inhabits islands of the Western Pacific Ocean.

The Micronesian Scrubfowl is a stocky medium-sized bird that is mostly dark brownish-black in appearance. Its head is paler than its body, and it has a pale grey crest and a yellow bill. It also has large dull yellow-colored legs and feet. Its habitat is thick forest and it is omnivorous, eating a large variety of food sources from the forest floor.

It is estimated that only 2000-2500 of the species remain. It can be found in the island nation of Palau, and undisturbed islands of the Northern Marianas chain, with several hundred of these birds on Sarigan. Reportedly, a small population has recently been reintroduced on Saipan.

Together with some other megapodes, the Micronesian Scrubfowl is the only bird known to incubate its eggs using volcanic heat.

External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet.
• IUCN Red List.