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SPECIES PROFILE
Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo)
Macrocephalon
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Sulawesi, Indonesia
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Rainforests, coastal areas
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Galliformes
FAMILY
Megapodiidae
GENUS
Macrocephalon
📋 Description
SIZE
55-60 cm, 1.5-2 kg
COLORATION
Black with pink underbelly; yellow facial skin
ADAPTATIONS
Ground-nesting in hot soils
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rainforests, coastal areas
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Sulawesi, Indonesia
REPRODUCTION
1 egg; incubation 60-80 days
DIET DETAILS
Insects, fruits, seeds
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, egg poaching
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Geothermal Nesters: Maleos lay eggs in volcanic soils heated by geothermal energy, a unique strategy ensuring chicks hatch without parental incubation. This adaptation, seen in Bogani Nani Wartabone, relies on Sulawesi's geology, but mining threatens these sites.
2
Conservation Heroes: Local Sulawesi communities protect maleo nesting grounds, using traditional knowledge to deter egg poachers, saving hundreds annually. Their <8,000 population faces extinction without these efforts, as each egg is critical to their survival.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
Lore Lindu National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
April-October. Dry season aligns with breeding season for maleo nesting.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Visit communal nesting sites at dawn with guides to see maleos.
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