Biak Scrubfowl vs Nicobar Scrubfowl
Megapodius geelvinkianus compared with Megapodius nicobariensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Biak Scrubfowl | Nicobar Scrubfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megapodius geelvinkianus | Megapodius nicobariensis |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Megapodiidae | Megapodiidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) | 45.4 cm (17.9 in) |
| Weight | 525.0 g (18.52 oz) | 843.25 g (29.74 oz) |
| Diet | Forages in Biak Island lowland forests for fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates scratched from leaf … | Forages on the ground in Nicobar Island forests for fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates scratched … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-20 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Biak Scrubfowl
Produces a loud, wailing cackle and guttural clucks. Calls are consistent with other Pacific Megapodius scrubfowl; heard on Biak and Numfoor islands at dusk and dawn.
Nicobar Scrubfowl
Emits loud, wailing cackling calls and guttural territorial clucks. The raucous wailing is typical of the genus; calls carry through Nicobar island coastal forest at dawn and dusk.
Geographic Range & Migration
Biak Scrubfowl
Endemic to Biak Island and nearby islands in Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua. Found in lowland and coastal forest.
Nicobar Scrubfowl
Endemic to the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India. Found in lowland tropical forest and coastal vegetation.
Conservation Status
Biak Scrubfowl
Nicobar Scrubfowl
How to Tell Them Apart
Biak Scrubfowl
Dull brownish with darker brown upperparts; bare reddish periorbital skin; small pale crest on forecrown; underparts grey-buff. Similar to Dusky Scrubfowl but restricted to Biak Island, with slightly paler flanks.
Nicobar Scrubfowl
Upper parts dark brownish-black; underparts grey-brown, paler on belly; bare reddish facial skin; short upright crest brownish. Legs large, greyish-yellow. One of the darker scrubfowl species.
About These Birds
Biak Scrubfowl
A medium-sized megapode (~525 g) of family Megapodiidae, endemic to the Biak-Supiori island group in Geelvink Bay, West Papua, Indonesia. Inhabits lowland forests and coastal vegetation. Builds mound nests warmed by solar heat for egg incubation. Forages for seeds and invertebrates. Near Threatened due to its very restricted island range and ongoing deforestation.
Nicobar Scrubfowl
A medium-sized megapode (~840 g) of family Megapodiidae, endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India in the eastern Indian Ocean. Inhabits dense coastal and inland forests, burying eggs in communal mounds of soil and leaf litter warmed by solar heat. Omnivorous, foraging for seeds and invertebrates. Vulnerable due to island endemism, habitat clearance, and tsunami impacts.