Most remaining populations in the Marianas inhabit areas of volcanic forest and coconut groves on volcanic islands, whereas those present on the limestone islands of Saipan and Aguiguan prefer limestone forest and secondary forest (USFWS 1998). In Palau, most birds inhabit beach strand forests, and only a few nests have ever been found in the upland volcanic forests (Engbring 1992, VanderWerf 2007, P. Radley in litt. 2020). The species is omnivorous, taking a wide variety of foods from the forest floor including insects, crabs and plant matter (Pratt et al. 1980, Engbring 1988, USFWS 1998). Nominate laperouse nests in burrows in sun-warmed cinder fields or geothermally-heated areas (USFWS 1998). Race senex nests in large mounds located primarily in narrow beach strand forests; these are constructed of sand and plant material (Wiles and Conry 2001, Olsen et al. 2012, 2016). A few mounds are also built in upland forest and are made of decayed wood and other plant material.

Megapodius laperouse occurs on Palau and the Northern Mariana Islands (to USA), and is extirpated from Guam (to USA). 

In Palau, subspecies M. l. senex occurs on Peleliu, Babeldaob, Angaur, Ngesebus, the Rock Islands (including Ulong, Ulebsechel, Ngeruktabel, Mecherchar, Ngerechong, Ngemelis, Babelchomekang, Ngeanges, Kmekumer, and the Ngerukuid Islands; Olsen and Eberdong 2017), Koror, Malakal, Ngerekebesang, and Kayangel Atoll.

In the Northern Mariana Islands, nominate laperouse is mainly restricted to islands north of Saipan, including Asuncion, Agrihan, Pagan, Alamagan, Maug, Guguan, Sarigan, Anatahan and Farallon de Medinilla (Lusk et al. 2000), as well as Saipan and Aguiguan (Craig and Chandran 1993, USFWS 1998). A remnant population of a few birds may persist on Tinian (Wiles et al. 1987, O'Daniel and Krueger 1999, USFWS 1998), although no individuals were detected during a survey in 2008 (Camp et al. 2009). The population on Anatahan was lost in the early 2000s when all habitat on the island was destroyed by a major volcanic eruption (Kessler and Amidon 2009), but later surveys indicated that the species had recolonised the island (USFWS 2010, Amidon et al. 2011). It is extinct on Rota.

Conservation Actions Underway
The species was listed as Endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1970. In the Marianas, a recovery plan exists and the species is protected by federal and local laws (USFWS 1998). The uninhabited islands of Asuncion, Maug, Uracus and Guguan are wildlife sanctuaries (USFWS 1998), and there are several protected areas on Saipan (MAC Working Group 2014).

Goats and pigs were removed from Sarigan during 1998-2000 (Kessler 2002), and from Anatahan during 2002-2003 (de Cruz et al. 2003a). Rats were eradicated from Ngeanges in 2017 (T. Hall, pers comm, in P. Radley, in litt. 2020), and from the Kayangel Atoll in 2018 (Esposito and Hurrell 2018). Extensive efforts are underway to prevent the accidental introduction of Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) on Saipan (Colvin et al. 2005). Cargo arriving at sea and air ports in Saipan is checked for snakes and traps have been installed to catch any snakes that are missed (MAC Working Group 2014). Barriers have been constructed at docks on Saipain to allow any introduced snakes to be contained (MAC Working Group 2014). Sniffer dogs have been trained to detect Brown Tree Snakes at Saipan airport (MAC Working Group 2014). Port officers from Saipan have been sent to Guam to receive training on prevention of Brown Tree Snake invasion and a programme has been carried out on Saipan to increase awareness among the general population of the importance of reporting Brown Tree Snake sightings (MAC Working Group 2014).

On the Kayangel Atoll, local people have been trained in monitoring techniques (Palau Conservation Society 2015).

Conservation Actions Proposed

Develop a long-term, standardised monitoring programme across the species's range to monitor population trends. Maintain monitoring to detect the presence of any Brown Tree Snake individuals on the species's range islands (MAC Working Group 2014).

In the Marianas, preserve remnant forest from development and feral ungulates. Remove feral ungulates (cattle, pigs and goats) from Agrihan, Pagan, and Alamagan (Amidon et al. 2011, USFWS 2016). Restore native forests across the species's range. Throughout its range, selectively control cats, rats, and monitor lizards. Continue to implement measures to prevent the establishment of a Brown Tree Snake population on Saipan. Implement an education programme to discourage hunting and collecting of the species and to raise awareness of the species's conservation. Control poaching through enforcement and education measures (USFWS 1998). Protect nesting mounds in Palau from coastal erosion (Olsen et al. 2012).