Scientific name Alectura lathami
The Brushturkey is a large megapode (big feet). With urbanisation and the introduction of feral predators including foxes and cats, it was thought they might become endangered. Although they are a large bird, they are not strong flyers and their young may have been prone to predation. However, these birds have adapted to the urban environment, especially where there are areas of trees and mulched gardens. In places where it shares its breeding and foraging grounds with humans, the survival of the species depends largely on the goodwill of householders. In the video below they have adapted to the campus area of the University of Queensland and students and staff are treated to a daily show of Brushturkeys foraging and defending their own territories.
Originally an inhabitant of rainforest and wet sclerophyll forests, they can also adapt to drier settings including urban areas. Brush-turkeys feed on insects, seeds and fallen fruits, which are exposed by raking the leaf litter or breaking open rotten logs with their large feet. The majority of food is obtained from the ground, with birds occasionally observed feeding on ripening fruits among tree branches.
The Brushturkey is a large megapode (big feet). With urbanisation and the introduction of feral predators including foxes and cats, it was thought they might become endangered. Although they are a large bird, they are not strong flyers and their young may have been prone to predation. However, these birds have adapted to the urban environment, especially where there are areas of trees and mulched gardens. In places where it shares its breeding and foraging grounds with humans, the survival of the species depends largely on the goodwill of householders. In the video below they have adapted to the campus area of the University of Queensland and students and staff are treated to a daily show of Brushturkeys foraging and defending their own territories.
Originally an inhabitant of rainforest and wet sclerophyll forests, they can also adapt to drier settings including urban areas. Brush-turkeys feed on insects, seeds and fallen fruits, which are exposed by raking the leaf litter or breaking open rotten logs with their large feet. The majority of food is obtained from the ground, with birds occasionally observed feeding on ripening fruits among tree branches.
Brush Turkeys have not only adapted to higher education settings they have also taken advantage of other urban places and you can spot them going about their business at the Bribie Island Golf Course and along the beach walkway at Mooloolaba, where the go about their daily business in the dune and bush gardens associated with the coastal track. An endearing bird, it can make quite a mess of gardens with its scratching and mound building, but let's hope our gardeners and landscapers continue to put up with their industry!
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