The Moluccan megapode Eulipoa. wallacei inhabits forests in the mountains of several Moluccan Islands (Indonesia). The birds only leave this habitat for the purpose of egg-laying in self-dug burrows on sandy beaches, where solar heat incubates the eggs. The eggs are collected, sold and consumed by local people, a tradition that threatens the species' existence. Little is known about the biology of E. wallacei. Therefore an extensive study was carried out in the period June 1994- June 1995 at the largest known breeding ground 'Tanjung Maleo' on the island ofHaruku and at breeding grounds on other islands. This article introduces the bird and describes the aim of the study, the methods and the study area. Some preliminary results are also provided. The final report.will be published later.

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Deinsea

CC BY 3.0 NL ("Naamsvermelding")

Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam

C.J. Heij. (1995). The biology of the Moluccan megapode Eulipoa wallacei (Aves, Galliformes, Megapodiidae) on Haruku Islands; part I: scope of the study and preliminary results. Deinsea, 2(1), 145–155.