Deborah Kruger

Maleo

(Macrocephalon Maleo)

This megapode is a terrestrial , chicken-like bird Found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Shrinking forest habitat has contributed to a 90% decline in the population (currently 8,000 – 14,000) despite efforts to protect the Maleo, there are only 4,000 – 7,000 breeding pairs and declining rapidly.The Maleo is a medium size 55–60 cm (22–24 in) communal nester, a strategy that has failed to protect it from egg predation, another significant threat.

Did you know: The maleo is monogamous and members of a pair stay close to each other all the time.