Appearance
It is a spectacular large bird with black feathers and a red head. Its total length is about 60–75 cm and a wingspan of about 85 cm.The subspecies ''A. l. purpureicollis'' from the northern Cape York Peninsula is smaller than the more widespread nominate subspecies. It has a prominent, fan-like tail flattened sideways, and its plumage is mainly blackish, but with a bare red head, and a yellow or purple wattle.
The male's wattle becomes much larger during breeding season, often swinging from side to side as they run. The males' heads and wattles also become much brighter during the breeding and nesting season.
The underside of the body is sprinkled with white feathers, more pronounced in older birds. The Brushturkey is a clumsy flier and cannot fly long distances, only taking to the air when threatened by predators or to roost in trees at night and during the heat of the day.
Naming
It is the largest extant representative of the family Megapodiidae and is one of three species to inhabit Australia. Despite its name and their superficial similarities, the bird is not closely related to American turkeys, or to the Australian Bustard, which is also known as the Bush Turkey.
Distribution
Brush turkeys are fairly common nowadays, but in the 1930s it was supposed that the bird was approaching extinction.
Habitat
The Australian Brushturkey inhabits rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, but can also be found in drier scrubs. In the northern part of its range, the Australian Brushturkey is most common at higher altitudes, but individuals move to the lowland areas in winter months. In the south, it is common in both mountain and lowland regions.Brushturkey colonies are common in the urban environment.
Reproduction
The species is communal, forming communal nests. A typical group consists of a dominant male, one or more younger males and several females. They build large nests on the ground made of leaves, other combustible material and earth, 1 to 1.5 metres high and up to 4 m across.The eggs are hatched by the heat of the composting mound which is tended only by the males who regulate the temperature by adding or removing material in an effort to maintain the temperature of the mound in the 33–35°C incubation temperature range. The Australian Brushturkey checks the temperature by sticking its beak into the mound.
Food
Brushturkeys feed upon insects, as well as seeds and fallen fruits, which are exposed by raking the leaf litter or breaking open rotten logs with their large feet. The majority of food is obtained from the ground, with birds occasionally observed feeding on ripening fruits among tree branches.
Cultural
Songs about turkeys include:⤷ ''Kayvon's Turkey Time'' by Gym Crew from the album ''Sydney - December 2007''
⤷ ''Deb and the Bush Turkey'' by Dick Bryan from the album ''Sydney Bush Bonanza- Uni Tunes 2009''
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