Australian brushturkey

The Australian brushturkey, Australian brush-turkey, or gweela, also commonly called the bush turkey or scrub turkey, is a large mound-building bird of the family Megapodiidae. It is found in eastern Australia, ranging from Far North Queensland to the south coast of New South Wales, and has also been introduced to Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It is the largest living member of the Megapodiidae and one of three species native to Australia.

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Distribution

Region

Eastern Australia

Typical Environment

Occurs from Far North Queensland down the east coast through southeastern Queensland to the south coast of New South Wales, with an introduced population on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Favors rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, coastal scrub, and vine thickets with deep leaf litter for foraging and mound-building. Readily uses suburban parks and gardens, especially where mulch and compost are available. Common along the Great Dividing Range foothills and coastal lowlands. Typically selects shaded, moist sites such as gullies and edges of forest for nesting mounds.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1200 m

Climate Zone

Subtropical

Characteristics

Size60–75 cm

Wing Span85–100 cm

Male Weight2.3 kg

Female Weight1.3 kg

Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This megapode incubates its eggs in large mounds of leaf litter heated by microbial decomposition; males constantly adjust the mound to keep the temperature right. Chicks hatch fully feathered and independent, able to run and fly within hours. The species has adapted well to suburbs and gardens along Australia’s east coast and is protected in many areas.

Gallery

Leaf litter nest of an Australian brushturkey in northern Sydney

With bush stone-curlews, standing outside an apartment in Brisbane

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Males maintain and defend large incubation mounds, attracting multiple females to lay eggs; one mound may serve many clutches. Courtship occurs near the mound, and the male regulates temperature by adding or removing material. Adults roost in trees and forage mostly on the ground. Chicks receive no parental care and disperse shortly after hatching.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations include low booming notes, grunts, and harsh croaks, especially around mounds. Birds also communicate with hisses and clucks during disputes and display. Scratching in leaf litter is often audible before the bird is seen.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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Australian logrunner

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