Wattled Brushturkey vs Sula Scrubfowl
Aepypodius arfakianus compared with Megapodius bernsteinii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Wattled Brushturkey | Sula Scrubfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aepypodius arfakianus | Megapodius bernsteinii |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Megapodiidae | Megapodiidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 53.4 cm (21.0 in) | 37.0 cm (14.6 in) |
| Weight | 1445.0 g (50.97 oz) | 844.5 g (29.79 oz) |
| Diet | Forages in highland New Guinea forests for fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates found in leaf … | Forages in Sula Island forests for fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates uncovered by raking leaf … |
| Clutch Size | 20 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Wattled Brushturkey
Emits deep, resonant booming calls and low, guttural clucking notes. Pairs vocalize with muffled, booming sounds in New Guinea montane forest; generally quiet compared with other megapodes.
Sula Scrubfowl
Emits a loud, raucous cackling wail and guttural clucking notes. Calls are typical Megapodius; wailing cackle carries through Sulawesi island forest and coastal scrub.
Geographic Range & Migration
Wattled Brushturkey
Endemic to the mountains of the Arfak and Tamrau ranges in the Bird's Head Peninsula of New Guinea. Found at 1,000-2,000 m in montane forest.
Sula Scrubfowl
Endemic to the Sula Islands of Indonesia. Found in lowland forest on the island group.
Conservation Status
Wattled Brushturkey
Sula Scrubfowl
How to Tell Them Apart
Wattled Brushturkey
Plumage is dark blackish-brown overall with slight gloss; bare facial skin red with pendulous yellowish wattles at sides of neck. Underparts slightly paler brown; no wing markings.
Sula Scrubfowl
Dark brownish-grey above; underparts grey, paler on belly; bare reddish facial skin around eye; crest small and brown. Closely resembles Philippine Scrubfowl but slightly darker above.
About These Birds
Wattled Brushturkey
A medium-sized megapode (~1.4 kg) of family Megapodiidae, with a bare red head adorned with yellow and red wattles. Endemic to montane rainforests of New Guinea, occurring from 900 to 2700 m elevation. Builds large mound nests using forest litter for egg incubation. Feeds on seeds and invertebrates. Least Concern with stable populations in remote forests.
Sula Scrubfowl
A medium-sized megapode (~845 g) of family Megapodiidae, endemic to the Sula Islands of eastern Indonesia. Inhabits tropical forests and uses solar or geothermal heat to incubate eggs in communal mounds or buried in warm substrates. Feeds on seeds and invertebrates. Vulnerable due to its restricted island range, forest clearance, and collection of eggs for food.