Translocate megapodes

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

49%
Certainty

29%
Harms

0%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Megapodes are a family of birds found in East Asia, Australasia and Oceania that build large nest mounds filled with vegetation which rots to heat and incubate the eggs. The chicks are extremely independent and can run immediately after hatching, with some species even able to fly on the day they hatch. As eggs are not incubated by parents, they can be translocated and re-buried elsewhere.

Study locations

Key messages

A replicated study from Indonesia found that up to 78% of maleo Macrocephalon maleo eggs hatched after translocation, with higher success if eggs were reburied as they were found. There was only anecdotal evidence that the translocations increased local populations.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated study on Sulawesi, Indonesia, in 1972-3 and 1978-9 (Mackinnon 1981) found that hatching rates for maleo Macrocephalon maleo eggs translocated from unprotected beaches to a protected nature reserve ranged from 41% (321 of 789 eggs translocated in 1972-3) to 78% (105 of 134 eggs translocated in 1978-9). Guards at the park reported larger numbers of maleo nesting after the second translocation, although this was not confirmed and it was not certain that any extra birds were the translocated individuals. In the second translocation, eggs were buried in the sand in the same position that they were found in (the top of the egg was marked with a cross before removal), whereas in the first experiment they were placed haphazardly in the sand. In addition, in the second translocation, once one chick from a clutch emerged, the others were dug out. It was found that those placed in the wrong orientation died, those buried too deep hatched but the chicks then died tunnelling to the surface. The highest success rates were with eggs buried approximately 25 cm deep (shallower than the 40-70 cm commonly seen in the wild).
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
MacKinnon J. (1981) Methods for the conservation of maleo birds, Macrocephalon maleo on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biological Conservation, 20, 183-193.

Please cite as:

Williams, D.R., Child, M.F., Dicks, L.V., Ockendon, N., Pople, R.G., Showler, D.A., Walsh, J.C., zu Ermgassen, E.K.H.J. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Bird Conservation. Pages 137-281 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Bird Conservation

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Ensure translocated birds are familiar with each other before release Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	2	Synopsis Link
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Alter habitat to encourage birds to leave an area Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	1	Synopsis Link