The Maleo,
Macrocephalon maleo, is a member of the Megapodiidae family of mound builders or incubator birds. This family of birds is found from eastern Indonesia through to Polynesia and Australia but the Maleo bird itself occurs only in North; Central and Southeast Sulawesi. It has a striking black and white plumage with a rosy pink breast, erect tail and bare helmeted heat sources incubates its eggs; it commonly nests on sandy beaches jeated by the sun, hot springs or vulcanic vents.
Within the park, nine nest sites are know. All are located near hot springs or on exposed river banks. Nesting sites are visited in the morning or evening by the birds and are communally used by many pairs. its a noisy affair as they select a location to lay a single egg. Both male and female dig with their strong legs and slightly webbed claws, taking turns once the hole becomes deeper. After laying her 11-30 cm, 240-270 gr egg, the pit is re-filled and several false pits dug to confuse predators (some may have also been started and discarded as temperature or soil moisture was found to be inadequate). The whole process can take up to six hours.
Laying occurs all year round but at Lore Lindu there is a seasonal peak between December and January. The female lays and egg approximately every 8-10 days. No parental nurturing occurs and after about three months the chick hatches and spends a day or two scrambling to the surface. Unlike most helpless bird hatchlings, the Maleo chick can immediately fly into the forest. of all birds the Megapodes produce one of the most mature chicks on hatching, hence the need for a large-sized egg and long incubation period. Unfortunately, this also makes the egg susceptible to predators such as pigs, monitor lizards, and human.
A combination of over-exploitation of the nesting sites for food and habitat loss due to agriculture is making the maleo increasingly rare. The best places to see these curios birds are at nesting sites at Saluki and Pakuli that are each used by over 50 pairs of birds.
The Maleo, Macrocephalon maleo, is a member of the Megapodiidae family of mound builders or incubator birds. This family of birds is found from eastern Indonesia through to Polynesia and Australia but the Maleo bird itself occurs only in North; Central and Southeast Sulawesi. It has a striking black and white plumage with a rosy pink breast, erect tail and bare helmeted heat sources incubates its eggs; it commonly nests on sandy beaches jeated by the sun, hot springs or vulcanic vents.
Within the park, nine nest sites are know. All are located near hot springs or on exposed river banks. Nesting sites are visited in the morning or evening by the birds and are communally used by many pairs. its a noisy affair as they select a location to lay a single egg. Both male and female dig with their strong legs and slightly webbed claws, taking turns once the hole becomes deeper. After laying her 11-30 cm, 240-270 gr egg, the pit is re-filled and several false pits dug to confuse predators (some may have also been started and discarded as temperature or soil moisture was found to be inadequate). The whole process can take up to six hours. 
Laying occurs all year round but at Lore Lindu there is a seasonal peak between December and January. The female lays and egg approximately every 8-10 days. No parental nurturing occurs and after about three months the chick hatches and spends a day or two scrambling to the surface. Unlike most helpless bird hatchlings, the Maleo chick can immediately fly into the forest. of all birds the Megapodes produce one of the most mature chicks on hatching, hence the need for a large-sized egg and long incubation period. Unfortunately, this also makes the egg susceptible to predators such as pigs, monitor lizards, and human. 
A combination of over-exploitation of the nesting sites for food and habitat loss due to agriculture is making the maleo increasingly rare. The best places to see these curios birds are at nesting sites at Saluki and Pakuli that are each used by over 50 pairs of birds.
