Nicobar Megapode
Megapodius nicobariensis
VUVulnerable Endemic to India
- Family
- Megapodes (Megapodiidae)
- Order
- Galliformes
Overview
The Nicobar megapode or Nicobar scrubfowl (Megapodius nicobariensis) is a megapode endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. Like other megapodes, it builds a large mound nest of soil and vegetation, with the eggs incubated by the heat produced by decomposition. Newly hatched chicks climb out of the loose soil of the mound and, being fully feathered, are capable of flight. The Nicobar Islands lie on the western edge of the megapode distribution, well separated from the nearest ranges of other megapode species.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Nicobar megapode
- 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.