BirdUp · Species
Australian Brushturkey
Alectura lathamiGray, JE, 1831
Updated
Also known asWagunWirrilaa
- Order
- GALLIFORMES
- Family
- Megapodiidae
- Genus
- Alectura
At a glance
The Australian Brushturkey is a very large bird, about 60–70 cm long, listed as Least Concern' and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 60–70 cm
- Conservation status
- Least Concern'
- Origin
- Endemic
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Endemic
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does an Australian Brushturkey look like?
The Australian Brushturkey is a very large bird, about 60–70 cm long and weighing 1400–2950 g, identified by its bare, bright red head and neck; prominent yellow throat wattle; large, vertically flattened tail; and bulky, uniform black body.
The Australian brushturkey, Australian brush-turkey, or gweela, also commonly called the bush turkey, scrub turkey, or just brushturkey, is a large mound-building bird of the family Megapodiidae. It is found in eastern Australia, ranging from Far North Queensland to the south coast of New South Wales, and has also been introduced to Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It is the largest living member of the Megapodiidae and one of three species native to Australia.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 01
Bare, bright red head and neck
The completely unfeathered head and neck are a vivid, fleshy red, making the bird instantly recognizable.
- 02
Prominent yellow throat wattle
A loose, fleshy pouch at the base of the throat. Becomes larger and brighter on males during the breeding season.
- 03
Large, vertically flattened tail
The tail is compressed from side-to-side, creating a tall, keel-like silhouette rather than a typical flat fan.
- 04
Bulky, uniform black body
The body plumage is entirely black, contrasting sharply with the brightly coloured, bare head and neck.
03 · When
When to look
When can you see an Australian Brushturkey?
The Australian Brushturkey is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does an Australian Brushturkey eat?
The Australian Brushturkey feeds on fruit, seeds, foliage/herbs, terrestrial invertebrates and terrestrial vertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
4 photos
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