Sulawesi, Indonesia – The maleo, a striking black-and-white bird roughly 60 centimeters tall with vivid blue, orange and yellow markings on its face, has long drawn attention for its unusual nesting habits. These critically endangered birds gather at communal sites on the island where they bury eggs in sand warmed by the sun or by geothermal activity from the earth. A new study now shows that demand for the species as an exotic pet is adding pressure to populations already reduced to an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 breeding pairs.
Remarkable Nesting Behavior Sets Maleos Apart
Maleos spend much of their time in the dense tropical forests of Sulawesi. When ready to reproduce, they travel to specific sandy beaches or riverbanks that maintain steady warmth. Using their webbed blue feet, the birds excavate burrows, deposit their eggs and then depart, leaving the solar or volcanic heat to do the rest of the work. ([1])
After several months the chicks emerge fully capable of flight within hours. This self-sufficient start gives the young a head start in a challenging environment. The behavior has made the maleo an emblem of the region, serving as the official faunal mascot for Central Sulawesi province and for Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park.
Habitat Loss and Egg Collection Have Already Taken a Heavy Toll
Since 1983 the species has lost more than two-thirds of its 149 known nesting grounds. Residential and commercial development, mining operations and new roads have fragmented or destroyed many of the sandy sites the birds depend on. At the same time, local collection of eggs for food has reduced the number of chicks that reach independence.
These combined pressures pushed the maleo onto the critically endangered list. Forest cover continues to shrink in parts of Sulawesi, leaving fewer safe places for the birds to forage and rest between nesting cycles. Without intervention, the remaining breeding pairs face ongoing decline.
Live Bird Trade Adds a New Layer of Risk
Researchers tracking wildlife seizures have documented three cases involving live maleos in recent years. The birds are being taken from the wild to supply growing demand in the exotic pet market. This development marks a shift from earlier threats that focused mainly on eggs and habitat.
The study, published in the Journal of Asian Ornithology, underscores how even small numbers of live captures can affect a population already at low levels. Because maleos nest in predictable locations, poachers can target adults as well as eggs. Enforcement remains difficult across remote stretches of Sulawesi coastline and forest.
Protecting an Iconic Species Requires Coordinated Action
Local authorities and conservation groups have long recognized the maleo’s cultural importance. Efforts to safeguard remaining nesting beaches and to curb egg collection have shown some success in specific areas. Expanding those measures to address live trafficking will require stronger monitoring at ports and markets.
The bird’s dependence on rare geothermal or sun-warmed sites makes each surviving nesting ground especially valuable. Continued habitat protection combined with enforcement against illegal trade offers the clearest path to stabilizing numbers. Without renewed focus, the distinctive maleo could slip closer to extinction in the coming years.
