Top 10 places to spot the nest-building Nicobar Megapode

The Nicobar Megapode is a rare, ground-dwelling bird endemic to the Nicobar Islands. Known for its unique nesting habit, it builds massive mound nests using sand and decaying vegetation to incubate its eggs using natural heat. Shy and elusive, this dark brown bird with powerful legs and a short tail is a favourite among birdwatchers. Here are the 10 best places to spot the rare Nicobar Megapode: (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | Pankaj Sekhsaria)

1. Great Nicobar Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The largest island in the Nicobar group, Great Nicobar, is the prime habitat of the Nicobar Megapode. Dense rainforests and undisturbed coastal patches here provide the perfect nesting grounds for this rare bird, known for building large incubation mounds out of sand and organic debris. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | PK Shahid)

2. Little Nicobar Island
Less visited than Great Nicobar, Little Nicobar is a biodiversity haven. The Nicobar Megapode thrives here, with its nests often spotted near forest clearings and beach fringes. The remoteness helps reduce human disturbance, making it an ideal breeding location. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | Niranjan Sant)

3. Katchal Island
Known for its lush forests and tribal communities, Katchal Island is a vital site for spotting the megapode. Early morning treks through forest trails often reveal mound nests hidden under thick vegetation. Local guides enhance the chances of sightings. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | Shashank Dalvi)

4. Nancowry Island
Part of the central Nicobar group, Nancowry is a peaceful and ecologically rich destination. The megapode's presence here is well-documented, and its nesting behaviour can be observed near the forest floor during nesting season, especially in secluded inland areas. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | PK Shahid)

5. Camorta Island
Camorta, with its combination of mangroves, forests, and coastal scrublands, is another hotspot. Birdwatchers often report sightings along the less inhabited coastal stretches, where the megapodes forage and maintain their massive nesting mounds. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | Niranjan Sant)

6. Trinket Island
Though small, Trinket Island has recorded sightings of the Nicobar Megapode, particularly in its eastern forested zones. Conservation efforts have helped maintain the fragile habitat that supports these birds and their unique nesting practices. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | Gokulakrishnan G.)

7. Teressa Island
Teressa’s terrain offers a mix of hills and coastlines, giving the Nicobar Megapode varied nesting environments. The birds favour areas with loose soil and plenty of leaf litter, and locals often spot their mounds along walking paths near forest edges. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | Gokulakrishnan G.)

8. Car Nicobar
The northernmost of the Nicobar Islands, Car Nicobar, has limited numbers of megapodes due to habitat loss. However, conservation patches within community forests still host a few nesting pairs. Early morning visits yield the best chance of a sighting. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | Ravi Shankar Parameshwaran)

9. Pulomilo Island
A lesser-known, small island south of Great Nicobar, Pulomilo has a modest population of Nicobar Megapodes. Its isolated nature helps in the undisturbed nesting of the birds, with mound nests often located close to inland streams or shaded groves. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | PK Shahid)

10. South Bay, Great Nicobar
Specifically within Great Nicobar, South Bay is a hotspot for megapode activity. This area is part of the Galathea National Park buffer zone and offers the best conditions for observing mound nests and foraging adults in their natural behaviour. (Image Credit: macaulaylibrary.org | Sudeshna Dey)