Selection of incubation mound sites by the Australian Brush‐turkey Alectura lathami

Abstract

Environmental characteristics associated with siting of the incubation mounds of the megapode, the Australian Brush‐turkey Alectura lathami were investigated in three rainforest locations in southeast Queensland. Seventeen environmental variables were measured for 52 mounds and 137 non‐mound sites. Most mounds were constructed on top of old mounds which had not been used during the previous year. A Discriminant Function Analysis obtained a clear separation between mound and non‐mound sites, based primarily on three variables: (1) the number of saplings growing within the mound or centre of the site: this was considered to be a result of the germination of seeds raked in earlier years; (2) the proportion of Lantana camara thicket occupying the site. Approximately half of the mounds constructed during a season were abandoned by their constructor due to expulsion by a neighbouring male. Brush‐turkeys could more easily establish mounds next to thickets since the efficiency of defence by other males was reduced in these areas; and (3) the openness of the canopy. Areas with greater canopy cover provided two important mound resources: a good supply of leaf litter, and protection of the mound from dessication.