Megapodes!

["Chris Collinson" <chris_collinson@hotmail.com>]

HP Tracy Ford wrote,
     >> Would Coelophysis brood? Did all
theropods brood or just some? (I know not all birds do, I think I heard 
that)<<

The Megapodes, Family Megapodiidae, of Indonesia the Australasian Islands do 
not brood. Instead they build large mounds or pits  from vegetation and 
sand, respectively,and basically cook their eggs. However, they do not 
simply semi abandon them until hatching in the manner of crocodilians, but 
rather hang around (both parents) in order to regulate the temperature by 
removing or adding material to the nest. They also  need to chase off the 
large monitor lizards and snakes which have a fondness for megapode eggs. 
They accomplish this feat by kicking vegetation at the foe.

For more Information, Check ot this webpage on the Australian Brush turkey, 
Alectura lathami,
at: http://www.ens.gu.edu.au/pggoeth/main.html

I hope you find this helpful or at least informative!

-Chris
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