megapode

Any of various large-footed, ground-dwelling birds of the family Megapodiidae, found in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific islands, that build mounds or burrows of earth and compost in which to incubate their eggs.

Same as megapod.

Any one of several species of large-footed, gallinaceous birds of the genera Megapodius and Leipoa, inhabiting Australia and other Pacific islands. Called also mound builder, scrub fowl, moundbird, and brush turkey. See Jungle fowl (b) under jungle, and leipoa.

Any of several chicken– or turkey-like birds in the family Megapodiidae, which incubate their eggs by burying them where they receive warmth from decaying vegetation, solar radiation or geothermal heat.

Characteristic of the Megapodiidae

large-footed short-winged birds of Australasia; build mounds of decaying vegetation to incubate eggs