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Australian
Brush-Turkey Chick |
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DESCRIPTION Sexes
are similar in appearance. 60 to 70mm in length. Skin of head and
neck is bare of feathers; skin is red and sparsely covered with black
hair-like feathers; skin at base of neck is a ruff of yellow wattles.
Plumage of upperside, wings and tail are a dull black. Breast and
belly is brown to black with feathers grey-white on the edges. Underside
of tail is dull black. Eye brown to white. Bill black. Feet and toes
are a dusky yellow. The Australian Brush-Turkey can be found from the Cape York Peninsula at the tip of Queensland to central NSW. It is most common in coastal districts but also extends to adjacent highlands and into the dense scrub west of the Great Dividing Range. The brush-turkey is normally an independent bird, but pairs and small social groups do occur. It is a wary bird, shying from noise and quickly darting for cover, however those that live near picnic areas tend to become quite tame. The brush-turkey is often seen scratching at the ground with its large feet, in search of food which includes fallen fruits, seeds and invertebrates. The large feet are also used for nest building. The male builds the nest incubating mound to a radius of about 4 metres and a height of 1 metre, by flinging leaves and other soft material behind him onto the mound. The top of the mound is then covered with soil. A mound is used in successive years and can be quite large. During mound building the male becomes quite aggressive, particularly to other males, but also to its mate, whom he allows onto the mound for mating and egg laying only. In the dark, warm forests that the brush-turkey favours, the mound rapidly ferments and the temperature rises quite dramatically, then drops to the required 33 degrees Celsius for egg incubating. It remains at this temperature for about 3 months. During incubation the male tests the heat by sticking his head inside the mound. He scratches off material or adds to get the required temperature. Breeding season is from August to December. Eggs are laid in intervals, at about 2 or 3 days. The female digs a hollow into the mound, deposits and eggs, scratches material over it and departs. The number of eggs laid in one breeding season is not known, however clutch sizes are estimated at 18 to 24 eggs per female. Incubations is approximately 50 days. After hatching the precocial chick struggles to the surface of the mound and quickly darts for cover to begin its independent life. It can run as soon as it leaves the ground and can fly within hours. The Australian Brush-Turkey is predominantly a ground dweller, but can fly to roost in trees and to escape danger. |
