Image via Macaulay Library
Sula Megapode
- Scientific name
- Megapodius bernsteinii
- Family
- Megapodiidae
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Short
Where it came from
The Sula Megapode, or Megapodius bernsteinii, is an avian species endemic to the Banggai and Sula Islands of Indonesia. It was first formally described by German ornithologist Hermann Schlegel in 1866, named in honor of the Dutch naturalist Heinrich Agathon Bernstein, who collected the type specimen during his explorations of the Malay Archipelago. These birds are part of the family Megapodiidae, known for their unique reproductive behavior of incubating eggs using geothermal heat or the warmth generated by decaying vegetation rather than direct body heat.
The physical design of the Sula Megapode is a study in functional evolution, characterized by a rounded wing shape and a notably short tail. These traits are highly suited to its environment, as they provide the agility required for navigating dense forest undergrowth and scrubland. As a vulnerable species, its existence is tied to the integrity of its native forest habitat, and it remains a significant subject of study for ornithologists interested in the biodiversity of the Wallacea biogeographic region.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Sula Megapode
Sula Megapode is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Sula Megapode on collecto.rs?
Sula Megapode doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Sula Megapode?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Sula Megapode catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Sula Megapode is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
