Description
Mound building bird 55 to 60cm in size that lays clutches of eggs in incubating mounds. Dust bathes, basks in the sun and roosts in low tree branches. Feeds on insects, herbs, fallen fruits.
Nests
Large incubating mound up to 1.5 metres high and 2 to 5 metres in diameter. Mound made of dry leaves, twigs and bark which is allowed to be wet in winter then covered with sand. Moisture allows vegetation to rot and increase internal mound temperature.
Temperature regulated at 33 degrees C by the male bird removing and adding to the mound, controlling also humidity and aeration.
Egg clutch can be 5 to 33 pale pink eggs that deepen to a pale brown. Breeds September to April.
References
Pizzey, G. & Knight, F. (1998). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Harper Collins Publishers, Sydney.
