noun
- large ground-dwelling birds of the family Megapodiidae that build mounds of vegetation or sand to incubate their eggs
Usage: zoology; plural form
Examples
- Megapodes are found primarily in Australia and the Pacific islands.
- The malleefowl is one of the most well-known megapodes.
- These megapodes construct elaborate mounds that can reach several meters in height.
- Unlike most birds, megapodes do not sit on their eggs to incubate them.
- The temperature regulation in megapode mounds is remarkably precise.
- Scientists study megapodes to understand their unique reproductive strategies.