Noble megapode Noble megapode The noble megapode ("Megavitiornis altirostris"), also known as the deep-billed megapode, is an extinct, flightless, giant stem-galliform bird that was endemic to Fiji. Originally thought to be a megapode, more recent morphological studies indicate a close relationship with "Sylviornis", in a clade outside of the Galliformes crown group. It is likely that it became extinct through overhunting shortly after the colonisation of the Fiji Islands by humans. The genus is monotypic, with the generic name "Megavitiornis" derived from the Greek "mega" (great), "viti" (Fiji), and "ornis" (bird). The specific epithet "altirostris" comes from Latin "altus" (high or noble),
Moluccan megapode mountain forests on the Maluku Islands of Halmahera, Buru, Seram, Ambon, Ternate, Haruku and Bacan. It also found on Misool Island in West Papua province. The Moluccan megapode is the only megapode known to lay its eggs nocturnally. The nesting grounds are usually located in sun-exposed beach or volcanic soils. Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range and overhunting in some areas, the Moluccan megapode is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Moluccan megapode The Moluccan megapode ("Eulipoa wallacei"), also known as Wallace's scrubfowl, Moluccan scrubfowl or painted megapode, is a small, approximately 31 cm