Description:

The bush woohoo (Woohoo thamnodis) is a massive megapode species that took a similar role to Australian ratites. Unlike ratites, they have a robust beak, which allows for crushing nuts and hard fruits. These animals evolved from the Australian brush turkey (Alectura lathami), a megapode that is widespread throughout Australia. These birds took the niches of several ground-nesting birds. The woohoos, named after their signature call, were one of the groups that grew to massive sizes. These birds are about 1.5 to 1.8 meters tall and weigh 45 to 70 kilograms. They retain some of their ancestor's features, such as the red coloration of the head, feather color, and yellow wattle in males. Their body color is slightly lighter brown in comparison to their ancestor. They also have reduced wings, which makes them flightless. These traits make them entirely tied to the ground. For this lifestyle, these birds evolved legs designed for sprinting both long and short distances. These animals live 30 years in the wild and 50 years in captivity.

Distribution:

Bush woohoos mainly inhabit the woody savanna and open woodland of the Great Australian Plain. Their main food source limits their range of these birds.

Diet:

Their diet consists of the fruit of the pumpkin peach (Pumprunus sp.) and outback nut tree (Remotanux australiensis). These trees require tools to break the outer layer of fruits. The bush woohoos use their robust beaks to crush the fruits into more digestible bits.

Nesting and Breeding:

These animals are sexually dimorphic, with males exhibiting a large wattle on the neck while females do not. During the mating season, males will fight for females by kicking and biting each other. Males that beat the most opponents are more attractive to females. Once males compete with each other, the males will mate with as many females as possible. After mating, the female will create a nest of leaves, twigs, dirt, and other compostable resources. These nests can be up to 2.4 to 3 meters in diameter. The eggs will buried underneath the nest materials. They lay 10 to 15 eggs in the center of the nest. The female will protect the nest until the eggs hatch. When the eggs hatch, the hatchlings are fully capable of running and walking.

Predator Interactions:

Woohoos are common prey of the Australian megafauna. Saber-toothed dingos, hunting kangaroos, and giant crocodiles often prey on these animals. Their eggs are also preyed on by monitor lizards, other birds, and mammals. Usually, adult individuals scare off these small animals. The young woohoos are also preyed on by lizards, small crocodiles, birds, and mammals. These interactions make them prone to flight when approached by other animals. This behavior protects them from these threats.