Includes bibliography (pages [228]-253) and index.

Contents: Part I: General chapters -- 1. Introduction to the Megapodes -- 2. Taxonomy and Relationships -- 3. Distribution, Biogeography, and Speciation -- 4. General Biology and Behavior -- 5. Megapode Incubation Sites -- 6. Ecophysiology and Adaptations -- 7. Reproductive Behavior and Mating Systems -- 8. Evolution of Megapode Incubation Strategies -- 9. Conservation -- Part II: Species Accounts -- 1. Genus Alectura -- 1.1. Australian Brush-turkey (Alectura lathami) -- 2. Genu Aepypodius -- 2.1. Wattled Brush-turkey (Aepypodius arfakianus -- 2.2. Bruijn's Brush-turkey (Aepypodius Bruijnii) -- 3. Genus Talegalla -- 3.1. Red-billed Talegalla (Talegalla cuvieri) -- 3.2. Black-billed Talegalla (Talegalla fuscirostris) -- 3.3. Brown-collared Talegalla (Talegalla jobiensis) -- 4. Genus Leipoa -- 4.1. Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) -- 5. Genus Macrocephalon -- 5.1. Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) -- 6. Genus Eulipoa -- 6.1. Moluccan Megapode (Eulipoa wallacei) -- 7. Genus Megapodius -- 7.1. Polynesian Megapode (Megapodius pritchardii) -- 7.2. Micronesian Megapode (Megapodius laperouse) -- 7.3. Nicobar Megapode (Megapodius nicobariensis) -- 7.4. Philippine Megapode (Megapodius cumingii) -- 7.5. Sula Megapode (Megapodius bernsteinii) -- 7.6. Tanimbar Megapode (Megapodius tenimberensis) -- 7.7. Dusky Megapode (Megapodius freycinet) -- 7.8. Biak Megapode (Megapodius geelvinkianus) -- 7.9. Forsten's Megapode (Megapodius forstenii) -- 7.10. Melanesian Megapode (Megapodius eremita) -- 7.11. Vanuatu Megapode (Megapodius layardi) -- 7.12. New Guinea Megapode (Megapodius decollatus) -- 7.13. Orange-footed Megapode (Megapodius reinwardt)

The Megapodes describes and illustrates the 22 species in this interesting family distributed over Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, The Philippines, the Nicobar Islands (India), and some southwest Pacific islands. Sometimes known as thermometer birds, some megapodes incubate their eggs in carefully constructed mounds of rotting vegetation which they manipulate to regulate the temperature, while others dig burrows in warm sand and deposit their eggs there. They are the only birds known to use external heat sources rather than body heat for incubation. The young emerge fully able to look after themselves and receive no parental care. Megapodes are heavy-bodied birds of the forest floor, opportunistically foraging for insects, seeds, and fallen fruit. Although they can fly, most species move primarily by walking. In the first nine chapters, the authors give an overview of the family as a whole, describing their taxonomy, distribution, biology, and behaviour. Megapodes exhibit an array of physiological, ecological, and behavioural adaptations related to their unique incubation technique, and these are fully explored in this first part of the book. Then follow the 22 species accounts, each one giving a complete description of the bird in its natural state. This information has been gleaned from both older and recent literature, from the authors' own field research in many parts of the megapodes' range, and from the excellent work of their colleagues in the Megapode Specialist Group. Sonograms are included where possible. Complementing the species accounts are eight colour plates by Ber van Perlo, showing adults and chicks of all species.