Maleo
CR

Maleo

Macrocephalon maleo

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleo

Overview

The maleo is a large megapode and the only member of the monotypic genus Macrocephalon. The maleo is endemic to Sulawesi and the nearby smaller island of Buton in Indonesia. It is found in the tropical lowland and hill forests, but nests in the open sandy areas, volcanic soils, or beaches that are heated by the sun or geothermal energy for incubation.

The Maleo faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive egg harvesting for human consumption, with local communities traditionally collecting eggs from communal nesting grounds. Habitat destruction through deforestation and mining activities has eliminated critical nesting beaches and reduced available foraging areas. Introduced predators, particularly pigs and dogs, destroy nests and prey on eggs, while coastal development has disrupted traditional nesting sites along beaches.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Maleo inhabits lowland tropical rainforests of Sulawesi, requiring both dense forest for foraging and specific nesting sites including volcanic soils, sun-heated beaches, and geothermally active areas. These megapodes depend on natural heat sources to incubate their eggs, making them highly dependent on undisturbed coastal areas and geothermal sites.

Forest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionAwareness & communicationsLegislationCompliance and enforcementLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Maleo classified as Critically Endangered?
Maleo is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Maleo faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive egg harvesting for human consumption, with local communities traditionally collecting eggs from communal nesting grounds. Habitat destruction through deforestation and mining activities has eliminated critical nesting beaches and reduced available foraging areas. Introduced predators, particularly pigs and dogs, destroy nests and prey on eggs, while coastal development has disrupted traditional nesting sites along beaches.
Where does Maleo live?
Maleo occurs in Indonesia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Maleo?
The main threats to Maleo are 1.1, 2.1, 3.2, and 4.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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