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The call of the Orange-footed Scrubfowl

In my previous post, I mentioned that many of the birds up in Far North Queensland have different calls from those down in my usual haunts near Sydney. Here’s another example: The Orange-footed Scrubfowl:

This sighting is another first for me. These birds are found in the far north of Australia, on the coastal rainforest edges of the continent. The noise and the way the bird moves remind me of the Velociraptors in Jurassic Park!

Common name: Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Scientific name: Megapodius reinwardt
Approximate length: 40-50 cm
Date spotted: 17 May 2022 (dry season)
Location: Port Douglas, Far North Queensland, Australia: 16°30’42.2″S 145°27’44.2″E