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Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre
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The Malleefowl Mound

The Malleefowl Mound

Malleefowl dedicate 9-11 months per year building and maintaining a large incubation mound of soil, leaves and twigs. The eggs are laid in the mound, buried and left to incubate by heat generated from composting litter. Malleefowl mounds may be used over many generations and can attain an impressive size of 22 metres in circumference and one metre high. Breeding densities vary. Surveys in South Western Australia indicate an average population of 2 active mounds per square km in 400 mm rainfall mallee habitat areas (Ongerup region).

Malleefowl have developed a highly sophisticated method of temperature control for egg incubation. The birds maintain the mound temperature of 32-34 degrees by using their beak as a “thermometer” and adjusting soil cover to either retain or expel heat from the egg chamber. Towards the end of the breeding season (February – March) when heat generated from litter fermentation has diminished, solar energy is harvested by spreading and returning mound soil heated by the sun.

Raising & Breeding Malleefowl at Yongergnow

Threats to the Malleefowl and Mallee

Opening hours:

 

Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 9am to 4pm
Wednesday: 9am to 4pm
Thursday: 9am to 4pm
Friday: 9am to 4pm
Saturday: 9am to 4pm
Sunday: CLOSED

**** CHRISTMAS CLOSURE ****
The Centre will be closed from Thursday 24th December to Monday 4th January and will reopen on Tuesday 5th at 9:00am

  • TripAdvisor

Lot 260 Jaekel St, Ongerup WA 6336
Phone (08) 9828 2325
Fax (08) 9828 2326
Email: visitor@yongergnow.com.au

© Yongergnow 2017

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  • Contact Us