Galliformes (curassows, hoatzin, megapodes, pheasants; class Aves) An order of small to large, fowl-like birds, that have short, stout bills, short, rounded wings, and short legs. They are mainly terrestrial, and most are good runners. Important game birds, many are domesticated and have been introduced worldwide. Many are endangered due to hunting and to habitat destruction. There are six families: Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Meleagrididae, and Opisthocomidae. They are found world-wide.

Megapodiidae (megapodes, scrubfowl; class Aves, order Galliformes) A family of mainly brown or black, turkey-like birds, many of which have bare heads, although one species is crested. They have small to large bills, large, rounded wings, and very large, strong feet. They inhabit forests and scrub, and feed on insects, worms, seeds, and fruit. Their eggs are incubated in mounds of earth and vegetation, warmed by the sun and by fermentation. There are seven genera, with 12 species (including three species of Megapodius, scrubfowl), found in the Philippines, Indonesia, Australasia, and Polynesia.

megapodes See MEGAPODIIDAE.