Australian Brush Turkey (mound-building) (Alectura lathami)

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Photo by Neil Ross

Published on Project Noah

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Field Notes

Description:

It's time to build a nest. Masters of destruction, this Brush Turkey is doing what Brush Turkeys do best - destroying a garden, and he's not done yet. This mound will eventually spill over the fence, and he's also building it up from the other side. In the not-too-distant future, little fuzzy chicks will emerge from this mound, and from that day on the chicks will be left to fend for themselves with no parental care. For some information on the bird itself - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/22859138

Habitat:

This is my neighbour's backyard, but really, any backyard will do. As long as there's plenty of garden mulch, leaf litter, or grass clippings, a nest is always a great possibility.

Notes:

Sorry, but these aren't the sharpest of photos. The light was poor and the bird was in constant motion, but it's not too hard to see what his plan is. After all, he is a megapode, ie: mound-builder.

Reference Links:

Australian Brushturkey, Wildlife Queensland - Australian Brush Turkey

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (14)

Neil Ross

Too right, Daniele. Nor does tinsel or cd's. I think it's gone to her yard because it got fed up with my youngest cats chasing it for sport in mine. Good girls I say :-)

Neil Ross

I know! My dear neighbour is currently going through the 'hate' stage. She said to me yesterday in such a pitiful tone and with such a sad face "I hate the bush turkey"... sob sob. I had to laugh but I know exactly where she's at.

DanielePralong

Mirror trick doesn't work in my experience...

DanielePralong

Possibly the most determined birds on the planet! They've destroyed 3 Brisbane gardens of mine, complete with the uprooting of a watering system. I know, we occupy their habitat :-) I did win on one occasion, and persuaded one to move its mound to the nearby creek. It's a love/hate relationship with the brush turkeys :-)

Neil Ross

It's a massive mound... again. My neighbour raked the bark back across the garden and placed a large mirror against the fence, supposedly to scare him off. Some say this works, but tell him that. I'm sure he was admiring himself as he toiled away. The mound was soon back... bigger than ever! never a dull moment when the Brush Turkeys are around :-)

DespinaTsafetopoulou

Smart bird!

ShannaB

Ha, great mound.

HemaShah

It is nice to have them around.

Neil Ross

Turkeys will be turkeys... where ever they are. The beautiful colours of these guys makes up for them being really dopey. I love them, and this fellow was having a huge time building his mound. My cats love to chase them (for sport), even though the scrub turkeys are much bigger, but for once they were happy to sit and watch. It kept us all occupied for quite some time.

HemaShah

This bush turkey has superb coloring. I find the way in which it builds it's nest very fascinating. Thanks for sharing!! The turkies here build nests with twigs and roost on trees at night. We have a lot of them strutting around thru our neighborhoods. To the dismay of some homeowners. They create quite a mess!

Neil Ross

You guys are just far too quick for me this morning LOL. Thanks, Jaemma :-)

HemaShah

mountain out of a mole hill :)

Neil Ross

LOL I like that, Mark. He's had a very constructive morning, so to speak :-)

Mark Ridgway

Excellent Neil. I'm sure these guys would regard themselves as 'Masters of Construction' and anything else in just in the way!! :-)