Maleo head

myminifactory

The Maleo is a large megapode and the only member of its own genus, Macrocephalon. Native to Sulawesi island in Indonesia, this bird inhabits tropical lowland and hill forests but prefers nesting in open areas with sandy soil or volcanic ash that's heated by the sun or geothermal energy for incubation. Reaching 55-60 cm in length, the Maleo has a distinctive appearance, featuring blackish plumage, bare yellow facial skin, reddish-brown iris, and reddish-orange beak. Its crown is adorned with a black helmet-shaped casque, while its greyish-blue feet have four long sharp claws connected by a membranous web. Maleos are nearly identical in appearance, with females being slightly smaller and duller than males. Young birds have brownish heads with short blackish-brown crests and browner upperparts. The Maleo's egg is unusually large, about five times the size of a domestic chicken's egg. Female Maleos lay eggs in deep holes in the sand and cover them to allow incubation through solar or volcanic heating. After hatching, young birds dig their way up through the sand and hide in the forest, where they become independent, flying, and self-sufficient. Maleos are monogamous, with pairs staying together throughout the year. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, seeds, mollusks, ants, termites, beetles, and other small invertebrates. This species is endemic to Sulawesi island and is typically found at low altitudes below 1,000 meters. Ideal nesting locations include river banks, lake shores, and coastal areas of the island. Maleos are known to be communal nesters. Maleo birds breed throughout the year, but peak breeding seasons vary depending on location. When ready to lay eggs, female maleos accompanied by their mates leave the forest cover in search of historic coastal breeding grounds. Females can lay between 8-12 eggs over a year's time. Once an optimal spot is chosen, the Maleo digs a deep hole and lays the egg inside. After laying the egg, the parents bury it securely in sand, sometimes covering it with debris to better camouflage the hole. The parents then leave, never returning, leaving the maleo chick to fend for itself. The hot sand of Sulawesi acts as an incubator for Maleo eggs, warmed by geothermal heat or solar energy. A maleo chick is completely self-sufficient just hours after hatching, requiring no further assistance from its parents. For this reason, Maleo eggs are approximately five times the size of a domestic chicken's egg, containing nearly full-formed birds inside. The chick must dig its way up through the sand immediately after birth and has the ability to fly and feed itself. Click on the following link to learn more about the "Mark my Bird" project: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/955c0fd6-2b96-46ed-b6f9-9060100cf825.