THE VICTORIAN MALLEEFOWL RECOVERY GROUP, INC. The Remarkable Malleefowl

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This page provides some of the basic facts about the Malleefowl.
Use the More Malleefowl link to go to more detail about their environment and behaviour.
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Scientific Classification
Kingdom-    Animalia
Phylum-    Chordata
Class-    Aves
Order-    Galliformes
Family-    Megapoiidae
Genus-    Leipoa
Species-    Leipoa ocellate
Bird on Nest Image
Photo courtesy of Joe Benshemesh.
Bird on Nest Image
Photo courtesy of Joe Benshemesh.		 Other Names
  • Lowan.
  • Gnow.
  • Incubator Bird.

    • Size
  • 610 mm. (24 in.)
  • Up to 2.5 Kg.
  • The female is slightly smaller than the male.
    • Colouring
  • Crown and nape - black.
  • Back of neck and upper back - blue-grey with some light brown barring.
  • Back and wings - mottled black, white and brown.
  • Tail - brown with irregular black bars.
  • Throat - white streaked with black.
  • Sides of breast - grey.
  • Conspicuous broad black stripe from front of neck to centre of breast.
  • Rest of underside - white or light brown.
  • Eye - red-brown.
  • Bill - black-grey.
  • Legs and feet - blue-grey.
  • There is no discernible differences in appearance between males and females.
    		•  Voice
  • Territorial call - a loud booming in three syllables.
  • In threat - sharp grunt.
  • When pair is together - soft, drawn out cluck.
  • Female - high pitched crow.

    • Distribution
  • Dry inland of southern Australia, from west of central NSW, north western Victoria, much of South Australia and southern Western Australia (excluding the forested areas).
  • Although it inhabits a narrow strip of high rainfall coastal country in western Australia, it is found mainly in mallee and other dry scrubs in the semi-arid zone.
  • An endangered species.
    • Hatchlings Image
    Photo courtesy of Joe Benshemesh.    		 Flight
  • Rapid and direct.
  • Prefers to walk or run away from danger.
  • Flies when startled or cornered.

    • Food
  • Omnivorous; seeds, berries and insects foraged from litter.
  • Flower blossoms, herbs, beetles, cockroaches and lerps (the sugary caps of sap-sucking leaf insects) are eaten when available.
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