Dusky Scrubfowl vs Tanimbar Scrubfowl
Megapodius freycinet compared with Megapodius tenimberensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Dusky Scrubfowl | Tanimbar Scrubfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megapodius freycinet | Megapodius tenimberensis |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Megapodiidae | Megapodiidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.0 cm (16.5 in) | 50.6 cm (19.9 in) |
| Weight | 644.5 g (22.73 oz) | 993.0 g (35.03 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous ground forager in New Guinea and island forests; eats fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates … | Omnivorous; eats fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates in Tanimbar Island forests. Scratches soil and litter … |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Dusky Scrubfowl
Emits a loud, raucous cackling wail and deep clucking. The wailing cackle is characteristic of eastern Melanesian scrubfowl; carries through Maluku forest edges and secondary scrub.
Tanimbar Scrubfowl
Produces a loud, wailing cackle and guttural territorial calls. The raucous, penetrating cackle is typical of island scrubfowl; echoes through Tanimbar lowland coastal forest.
Geographic Range & Migration
Dusky Scrubfowl
Resident across eastern Indonesia from Lombok east through the Banda Sea islands to the Moluccas and western New Guinea. Found in lowland forest.
Tanimbar Scrubfowl
Endemic to the Tanimbar Islands (Kepulauan Tanimbar) in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. Found in lowland forest.
Conservation Status
Dusky Scrubfowl
Tanimbar Scrubfowl
How to Tell Them Apart
Dusky Scrubfowl
Dark dusky-brown above and below; bare reddish-orange facial skin prominent around eye; brownish-grey crest small but distinct. Underparts only slightly paler than back; bill yellowish; legs pale.
Tanimbar Scrubfowl
Uniformly dark greyish-brown, slightly paler below; bare yellowish-red facial skin and small brownish crest; legs robust and yellowish. One of the larger scrubfowl; no strong colour contrasts.
About These Birds
Dusky Scrubfowl
A medium-sized megapode (~645 g) of family Megapodiidae, occurring across the Maluku Islands and western New Guinea. Inhabits coastal and lowland forests, constructing large communal mound nests of soil and organic debris for egg incubation. Forages on fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates. Least Concern with relatively wide distribution across the Wallacea region.
Tanimbar Scrubfowl
A medium-sized megapode (~990 g) of family Megapodiidae, restricted to the Tanimbar Islands in the Banda Sea of eastern Indonesia. Inhabits coastal and hill forests, building mound nests for solar incubation of eggs. Feeds on fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates on the forest floor. Vulnerable due to small island range, deforestation, and sustained egg collection pressure.