Biak Scrubfowl vs Tanimbar Scrubfowl
Megapodius geelvinkianus compared with Megapodius tenimberensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Biak Scrubfowl | Tanimbar Scrubfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megapodius geelvinkianus | Megapodius tenimberensis |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Megapodiidae | Megapodiidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) | 50.6 cm (19.9 in) |
| Weight | 525.0 g (18.52 oz) | 993.0 g (35.03 oz) |
| Diet | Forages in Biak Island lowland forests for fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates scratched from leaf … | Omnivorous; eats fallen fruits, seeds, and invertebrates in Tanimbar Island forests. Scratches soil and litter … |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| 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.
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
Biak Scrubfowl
Endemic to Biak Island and nearby islands in Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua. Found in lowland and coastal forest.
Tanimbar Scrubfowl
Endemic to the Tanimbar Islands (Kepulauan Tanimbar) in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. Found in lowland forest.
Conservation Status
Biak Scrubfowl
Tanimbar 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.
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
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.
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.