Its head is paler than its body, and it has a pale grey crest, a yellow bill, and large dull-yellow legs and feet.

[2] Its call is a loud "keek", song often a duet with one bird beginning a rising and accelerating "keek-keek-keek-keek"- etc.

culminating in a loud "kee-keer-kew" (Palau) or "keek-keer-keet" (Marianas), the other answering with a rising cackle that slows near the end.

[3] During the breeding season, just after the southeast monsoon comes in, the females make large mounds of debris in which to lay their eggs.

The species is currently classified as near threatened because it has a very small range, restricted to isolated undisturbed offshore islets.

[2] The introduction of dogs, cats, pigs, and rats is believed to have led to the decline of this species throughout most of the islands.

The species qualifies as "Endangered" because it has a very small range, restricted to isolated undisturbed offshore islets, with few birds elsewhere.

On the larger and higher islands, an increase of people and introduced pests will sooner or later destroy any megapode populations.