New Guinea Megapode
Taxonomy: Megapodius affinis A. B. Meyer, 1874, Rubi, New Guinea.
Rather long crest, underparts vary from ashy grey to brownish olive, legs and feet dark olive green to blackish.
Rather long crest, underparts vary from ashy grey to brownish olive, legs and feet dark olive green to blackish.
~33 cm
Formerly included in M. freycinet. Generally considered to form part of the M. freycinet superspecies. Known to hybridize with M. eremita on Karkar I (off NE New Guinea). Formerly considered polytypic, with acceptance of races jobiensis, decollatus and huonensis. Name affinis may not be applicate to present species, in which case M. decollatus would have priority. Monotypic.
N New Guinea and offshore islands, from Geelvink (Cenderawasih) Bay E to Huon Gulf, and as far S as Nassau Range, on S slopes of Snow Mts; exact limits of range uncertain in many areas.
Rain forest, occurring from sea-level up to 1800 m, and probably 2000 m, occupies and breeds in swamp forest along R Sepik.
No info - presumably fruits, seeds, insect.
Laying sid to be all year round, with records from Feb, Mar-Apr and Oct, Jan-May. Mound builder. Mounds may be used by up to 4 pairs.