Tabon Scrubfowl

About the Tabon Scrubfowl

The Philippine megapode (Megapodius cumingii), also known as the Philippine scrubfowl or the Tabon scrubfowl, is a species of bird in the family Megapodiidae. It is found in the Philippines, northeastern Borneo, and Sulawesi. It has a wide range of natural habitats which include tropical dry forest, tropical moist lowland forest, tropical moist montane forest and small islands. The species was named after the collector Hugh Cuming.

It was formerly conspecific with the Dusky megapode but is differentiated with a lighter brown plummage and legs and with prominent red facial skin. Seven subspecies are recognized: M. c.cumingii – Found on Palawan and small islands North of Borneo

M. c.dillwyni – Found on Luzon, Mindoro, Marinduque and proximate islands M. c.pusillus – Found on Masbate, Cebu, Negros, Bohol and West Mindanao M. c.tabon – Found on East Mindanao M. c.gilbertii – Found on Sulawesi and Togian Islands

M. c.talautensis – Found on Talaud Islands M. c.sanghirensis – Found on Sangihe Islands Feeds on insects, mostly larvae, beetles, termites, worms and snails. Also known to eat fallen fruits and seeds. Has... Wikipedia →