The remarkable Malleefowl mound
Unlike most birds, Malleefowl do not incubate their eggs with body heat. Instead, they construct and carefully manage enormous nesting mounds that act as natural incubators.
Nature's master engineers
Malleefowl dedicate between nine and eleven months each year to building and maintaining large incubation mounds made from soil, leaves and twigs.
Eggs are laid within a central chamber deep inside the mound, where they are buried and incubated using heat generated by decomposing organic material.
Some mounds remain in use for generations and can grow to impressive dimensions of up to 22 metres in circumference and one metre high.
In the Ongerup region, surveys have recorded an average of two active mounds per square kilometre in suitable mallee habitat receiving around 400mm of annual rainfall.
9–11 Months of Work
Malleefowl spend most of the year building and maintaining their incubation mound.
Natural Incubation
Heat generated from composting vegetation replaces the need for traditional nesting.
Multi-Generation Sites
Many mounds are reused over decades and become important long-term breeding sites.
Impressive Scale
Large mounds can reach over 22 metres in circumference and stand more than a metre high.
A living temperature control system
Malleefowl have evolved one of the most sophisticated incubation systems found in the bird world.
Using their beak as a natural thermometer, they continually monitor mound temperatures and adjust soil cover to maintain an ideal incubation temperature of approximately 32–34°C.
If the mound becomes too warm, soil is removed to release heat. If temperatures drop, additional soil is added to trap warmth inside the chamber.
Towards the end of the breeding season, when decomposition slows, the birds harvest solar energy by spreading soil to warm in the sun before returning it to the mound.
Learn more about Malleefowl conservation
Discover how Yongergnow contributes to the protection, monitoring and captive raising of one of Australia's most remarkable bird species.