Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)
Malleefowl

Malleefowl

Leipoa ocellata

The Malleefowl, Leipoa ocellata, is a robust, terrestrial bird approximately the size of a domestic chicken, to which it is distantly related. It is the sole extant member of the genus Leipoa, with its closest extinct relative being the giant malleefowl.

Identification Tips

This species is characterized by its stocky build and intricately patterned plumage, which provides excellent camouflage against the forest floor. When threatened, the Malleefowl's natural response is to freeze, blending seamlessly into its surroundings, or to silently retreat into the underbrush, taking flight only as a last resort.

Habitat

The Malleefowl inhabits semi-arid mallee scrub, which is found on the edges of more fertile regions in southern Australia. This environment is characterized by stunted trees and sandy soil, which are essential for the bird's unique nesting behavior.

Distribution

The Malleefowl's range has been reduced to three distinct populations: the Murray–Murrumbidgee basin, the area west of Spencer Gulf near the Simpson Desert, and the semi-arid fringe of Western Australia's fertile southwest corner.

Behaviour

Malleefowl are solitary and elusive, often roosting and feeding apart from one another. Their social interactions are primarily limited to mating during the breeding season. They exhibit remarkable tactics for evading predators, including their ability to remain motionless for extended periods.

Breeding

The breeding season sees the male Malleefowl constructing impressive nesting mounds, which are meticulously maintained to ensure proper incubation temperatures. Females lay a variable number of large eggs, which can weigh up to 10% of their body weight. Remarkably, after hatching, chicks are entirely independent, having no contact with adults or other chicks.

Conservation status

The Malleefowl is classified as Vulnerable, facing threats from habitat destruction, altered fire regimes, and predation by introduced species such as the red fox. Climate change, leading to more frequent and severe droughts, also poses a significant threat to its survival. Conservation efforts are underway across its range to address these challenges.

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

Malleefowls on Birda

Photos

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
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
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.
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
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 😁
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.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.