Patchewollock - The Big Mallee Fowl
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There are two big Mallee Fowls around a large mound nest. The big Mallee Fowls are constructed from corrugated iron and painted to give the impression of feathers.
The sculptures which were installed by artist Phil Rigg in 2013.
There is a picnic table close by and an information board about the Mallee Fowl. The Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) is a true marvel of the Australian semi-arid and arid landscapes. Malleefowl belong to the Megapode family that use external heat sources to hatch their eggs. Malleefowl use decomposing vegetation during spring and solar heated sand in midsummer to hatch eggs inside large mounds.
A pair of adults might hatch up to 200 chicks during their lifetime, but the species is struggling to survive. Malleefowl have faced significant and catastrophic loss of habitat to clearing and severe fragmentation of what remains. The chicks and adults endure drought and predation from birds of prey and introduced pests such as foxes and cats. Fire can quickly destroy vast areas of suitable habitat, requiring maybe 15 years for the birds to return to burnt habitat, and 30-40 years for the habitat to be suitable for breeding.
There are seven items of historical interest laying on the ground in a row next to the old railway goods shed and Big Mallee Fowl.
Photos:
Location
34 Federation Street, Patchewollock 3491 Map
Web Links
→ Where to find the BIG things across Victoria
