Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Australian Brushturkey (Alectura lathami)
Australian Brushturkey

Australian Brushturkey

Alectura lathami

The Australian brushturkey (Alectura lathami), also known as the Australian brush-turkey or gweela, is a robust, black-feathered bird with a distinctive red head. It is the largest extant member of the Megapodiidae family and is found in eastern Australia. The bird is not closely related to American turkeys or the Australian bustard, despite superficial similarities. It measures approximately 60–75 cm in length with an 85 cm wingspan. The northern subspecies, A. l. purpureicollis, is slightly smaller and sports a purple wattle, contrasting with the yellow wattle of the more widespread nominate subspecies.

Identification Tips

Males can be identified by their larger, more vibrant wattles during breeding season, which swing as they run. The brushturkey's plumage is predominantly blackish, with a fan-like tail that is flattened sideways. The red head is bare, and the underside of the body is dotted with white feathers, more so in older birds. It is a clumsy flyer, taking to the air primarily when threatened or to roost.

Habitat

The Australian brushturkey is found in rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, drier scrubs, and open areas. It is common at higher altitudes in the north and in both mountain and lowland regions in the south. Urban environments such as Brisbane and Sydney also host this adaptable bird.

Distribution

This species ranges from Far North Queensland to Eurobodalla on the South Coast of New South Wales and has been introduced to Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

Behaviour

The brushturkey is known for its mound-building behavior, with dominant males constructing large nests on the ground from leaves, compostable material, and earth. These mounds are used by females for egg-laying. Males tirelessly defend and maintain these nests. The brushturkey is also known for its boldness in human-populated areas, often stealing food and raiding compost bins.

Breeding

Males build and maintain large compost mounds for females to lay eggs in, with the heat generated from composting regulating the incubation temperature. The sex ratio of chicks is affected by the temperature, with equal ratios at 34°C, more males when cooler, and more females when warmer. Chicks are precocial and fend for themselves immediately after hatching.

Similar Species

The Australian brushturkey is similar in appearance to the wattled brushturkey, Waigeo brushturkey, and malleefowl, but can be distinguished by its larger size and habitat preferences.

Diet and Feeding

Brushturkeys forage on the ground, raking up the leaf litter in search of food. They are omnivorous and have a varied diet.

Conservation status

The Australian brushturkey is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. It was once thought to be approaching extinction in the 1930s but is now fairly common. The species is fully protected in Queensland, with significant penalties for harming them. In New South Wales, fines for shooting a brushturkey can reach up to A$22,000.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Australian Brushturkeys on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Megapodes

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.