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Vanuatu's national bird is the Vanuatu bushbird

author:Vanuatu Travels

The Vanuatu bushbird is a large, small-headed, long-legged, ground-dwelling bird. The plumage is brownish-black and there is pink bare skin on the head, forehead and face. On the back crown, some dark feathers may form a short, blurry crown. It is easily recognizable due to its long, bright yellowish legs, bright red face, all-brown and black round body, and bright orange mouth.

Vanuatu's national bird is the Vanuatu bushbird

The Vanuatu jungle bird, also known as the Vanuatu giant bird (Megapodius layardi), comes from the Greek word for "big foot" and is a species of giant bird in the family Megapodi. Formerly known as the New Hebrides junglebird, it is the national bird of Vanuatu because it is only found in Vanuatu (formerly known as the New Hebrides).

Unlike bushbirds in other regions, the natural habitat of Vanuatu bushbirds is tropical moist lowland forests. Also less conspicuous than other jungle birds, often sitting motionless in trees, but surprisingly tolerant of humans around the settlement. They fly, but spend most of their time in the forest foraging for food.

The Vanuatu bushbird is unique to Vanuatu and breeds on the larger islands of the Vanuatu archipelago from central to northern and on the Banks Islands. Adult jungle birds reach a length of 42 to 45 cm and have very strong legs and feet. The development of legs and feet is closely related to the nesting behavior of this bird, which digs large holes in the place where the eggs are laid. Similarly, they have adapted to most terrestrial life.

Vanuatu bush birds chirp very loudly, especially at dawn and dusk, with a piercing croaking or gurgling sound. The best courtship activity occurs at dawn. During the breeding season, males and females perform a duet, mainly at night, but also at any time during the day. This duet is usually initiated by females and is a two-syllable that lasts 4 to 5 seconds. When foraging in pairs, both spouses make soft calls to stay connected. One can hear a "whoa-whoa" sound, followed by a "oo

Vanuatu's national bird is the Vanuatu bushbird

The Vanuatu junglebird is an omnivorous bird that eats insects, worms, grubs, snails and various other invertebrates, as well as plants such as fruits, seeds, buds, flowers and leaves. It feeds by walking and using its strong feet to scratch around in the fallen leaves. It also pecks at other foods on the ground or on plants. Most of the time you can see them in pairs.

Vanuatu bushbirds breed on beaches in coastal areas, especially around decaying trees, and also in volcanically heated areas. Some birds may frequent degraded forests and gardens.

Like most giant birds, Vanuatu bushbirds are likely to be monogamous and territorial. Mounds and caves are usually built and maintained by males. They usually breed in groups, with several females laying eggs in the same nest. This behavior is associated with the scarcity of suitable nest sites. The species appears to breed throughout the range.

The Vanuatu bushbird is settled, but it may fly to offshore islands to perch. If frightened, the animal usually runs rather than fly, but it is able to take off quickly to avoid predators. The ability to fly is quite strong, usually steep upwards, with rounded wings and hind legs.

Vanuatu bushbirds breed all year round, especially from June to August. Females lay their eggs in burrows dug between and around decaying tree roots, or in volcanically heated areas and decomposing vegetation. On Banks Island, this species may have been a mound builder.

Often, several females share the same large nest built from soil, leaves, and organic matter in lowland forests. This nest cave is 30 cm to 2 meters deep and 2 meters long. Several females may lay between 20 and 100 eggs in each burrow. Instead of sitting on eggs to incubate, the female buries the eggs in a large nest and incubates naturally by natural heat sources such as some kind of volcanic activity, solar energy (especially on beaches) and heat from rotting roots of rooting trees. The incubation period is quite long, lasting about 45 days.

Vanuatu's national bird is the Vanuatu bushbird

Vanuatu bushbirds are small and dwindling, at about 3,500. On the IUCN Red List, the species is currently listed as vulnerable. While jungle birds can be found on most of Vanuatu's islands, they appear to be extinct on Tana Island.

Vanuatu bushbirds are mainly threatened by: overexploitation of birds through hunting and egg collection; predation of invasive species such as rats, cats, dogs and pigs; Breeding grounds are constantly cleared for agriculture, cattle ranching and logging; Fires, heavy rains and hurricanes destroy their breeding nests, either burying the chicks inside or exposing the chicks to predators.

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Source: Vanuatu Travel Official Account

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