Australian Brushturkey

1. Bare, bright red head with yellow or purple neck wattle (larger in males)

2. Large feet constantly scratching and raking through ground litter

3. Upright, fan-shaped tail that's often held vertical when walking

The Australian Brushturkey is famous for its fascinating breeding methodmales build massive compost heaps up to 4 meters wide and 1 meter high where females lay their eggs. The decomposing vegetation generates heat to incubate the eggs, and males carefully manage the temperature by adding or removing material. Chicks hatch fully feathered and completely independent, receiving no parental care whatsoever.

Australian Brushturkeys can be found along Australia's eastern seaboard from Cape York to southern New South Wales, particularly in rainforests and wet forests with dense understory. They're most active during daylight hours, scratching through leaf litter on the forest floor or in suburban gardens, parks, and even city centers of Brisbane and Sydney. Despite being ground-dwellers by day, they roost high in trees at night, so look up at dusk to spot them climbing to their sleeping perches. Listen for rustling in the undergrowththeir enthusiastic scratching often gives them away before you see them.

Australian Brushturkeys have inhabited Australia's eastern forests for millions of years. Several Aboriginal peoples have traditional stories featuring these birds, and they were an important food source for many coastal communities.