It inhabits lowland hill forest, rarely logged forest, and has been recorded up to c. 800 m on Ambrym (O'Brien et al. 2003, Dutson 2011). It is absent from other habitats except coastal vegetation adjacent to coastal nesting grounds (Dutson 2011). Singles, pairs and small groups forage on forest floor, sometimes alongside Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (Dutson 2011). It nests in volcanically heated areas, on beaches and in decomposing vegetation such as around rotting trees (Dekker et al. 2000). As with other congeners, it is thought to be a dispersive species, flying to nesting and roosting sites, and not at risk from population fragmentation (Dekker et al. 2000). It forages by scratching in the leaf-litter on the forest floor (Bregulla 1992, Bowen 1996).

Megapodius layardi is endemic to Vanuatu, being recorded from most islands north from Efate (Bregulla 1992). The species appears to be extinct on Tanna (Dutson 2011).

Conservation Actions Underway
On Santo the species breeds in the Big Bay and Loru protected areas and is legally protected from hunting between 1 July and 31 March (Dekker et al. 2000). Egg-collection on Ambrym is restricted by a locally controlled system of taboos, which may have significantly reduced human disturbance (O'Brien et al. 2003), although these bans are difficult to enforce and the proportion of the total population that is harvested sustainably is unknown overall (Foster 1999, R. Hills in litt. 2007, M. O'Brien in litt 2021). Wan Smol Bag Theatre and the Vanuatu Protected Areas Initiative have continued to raise awareness in support of taboos through community theatre, workshops and other initiatives.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue to survey range islands to establish its distribution, status and threats. Assess the scale of egg-collection throughout the range. Monitor egg collection and investigate the effects of the existing taboo system on population numbers. Regularly review the effectiveness of existing conservation efforts on Ambrym. Study the impact of forest loss and degradation on the species' population density. Conduct ecological research focusing on productivity, dispersal and survival at nesting grounds. Monitor forest loss and degradation across the species' range. Encourage the adoption of sustainable harvesting regimes where appropriate. Enforce protected areas and taboos on egg collection. Continue education and awareness campaigns.