Nicobar megapode or Nicobar scrubfowl ( '' Megapodius nicobariensis '' ) is a megapode found in some of the Nicobar Islands ( India ) . Like other megapode relatives , it builds a large mound nest with soil and vegetation , with the eggs hatched by the heat produced by decomposition . Newly hatched chicks climb out of the loose soil of the mound and being fully feathered are capable of flight . The Nicobar Islands are on the edge of the distribution of megapodes , well separated from the nearest ranges of other megapode species . Being restricted to small islands and threatened by hunting , the species is vulnerable to extinction . The 2004 tsunami is believed to have wiped out populations on some islands and reduced populations on several others
2004 tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Nicobar megapode