Maleo
Macrocephalon maleo
- Family
- Megapodes (Megapodiidae)
- Order
- Galliformes
Overview
The maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) is a large megapode and the only member of the monotypic genus Macrocephalon. The maleo is endemic to Sulawesi and the nearby smaller island of Buton in Indonesia. It is found in the tropical lowland and hill forests, but nests in the open sandy areas, volcanic soils, or beaches that are heated by the sun or geothermal energy for incubation.
The megapode is named from a North Halmahera language (see Ternate: moleo, Tidore: muleu) transmitted via Ternate Malay maleu and later Ambon Malay maleo.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Now very local, Sulawesi including Buton (off southeast), and formerly Lembeh (just east of northern Sulawesi).
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Maleo
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
