Meet one of Australia’s most remarkable birds
The Malleefowl is a unique ground-dwelling bird found across arid and semi-arid regions of Australia, known for its extraordinary nesting behaviour and important place in the mallee landscape.
A unique Australian megapode
Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) are large ground-dwelling birds, somewhat larger than a domestic hen. They belong to a family of birds known as megapodes, meaning “big feet”.
Although often described as ground-dwelling, Malleefowl can take flight to roost in trees overnight or to escape immediate danger.
Malleefowl are unique to the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. While most megapodes are associated with wetter tropical and subtropical environments, the Malleefowl is adapted to the lower-rainfall landscapes of southern Australia.
A threatened species
Once common across much of their range, Malleefowl numbers have seriously declined over the last 100 years.
In Western Australia, Malleefowl are classified as fauna that is rare or likely to become extinct under wildlife conservation legislation.
Nationally, the Malleefowl is listed as a threatened species requiring coordinated conservation efforts across Australia.
Ground-dwelling Bird
Malleefowl spend most of their time on the ground, foraging, moving through scrubland and tending their nesting mounds.
Megapode Family
As megapodes, Malleefowl are known for their powerful feet and remarkable mound-building nesting behaviour.
Mallee Habitat
The species is strongly connected to southern Australia’s arid and semi-arid mallee landscapes.
Threatened Species
Habitat loss, predators and environmental change have contributed to significant population decline.
Learn more about the Malleefowl
Explore more about the Malleefowl’s remarkable nesting behaviour, breeding programs and the threats facing the species and its habitat.