Subdesert Mesite

The Subdesert Mesite is a medium sized terrestrial bird which is often described as rail-like . The species has a long and downward-curved bill distinguishing it from the other members of the family. Both sexes are greyish above and show thin white eyebrows. Both have white underparts; the male has black crescent-shaped spots on the side of the neck and upper breast. The female has rufous spots that may merge into a general rufous tone, and has a tawny cheek patch.

The Subdesert Mesite is classified as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Subdesert Mesite is one of three species of Mesites. It lives in the south-west part of Madagascar. Because of its limited territory and specialized habitat, it is naturally threatened. It lives in spiny brushy habitats where it picks seeds, fruits and insects off the ground and lower parts of the bushes. It will also dig a bit for food. Classification: Order: Gruiformes Family: Mesitornithidae Genus: Monias Species: M. More

Photos: The Subdesert Mesite, or Monias Monias benschi, was photographed near Ishfay, north of Tulear, southwestern Madagascar, in Nov 1992. The Brown Mesite Mesitornis unicolor sketch was made on the day of observation in the Ranomafana Reserve, eastern Madagascar, on 26 Nov 1992. Photos & art More

The Subdesert Mesite, Monias benschi, is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar. It is one of three species in the mesite family Mesitornithidae, and is restricted in distribution to a small low-land region in southwest Madagascar. The Subdesert Mesite is a medium sized terrestrial bird which is often described as rail-like (a family with which the mesites are sometimes placed). The species has a long and downward-curved bill distinguishing it from the other members of the family. More

* Subdesert Mesite a bird in a bush Ifaty, Madagascar (Monotypic species) Paul Willoughby 11 January 2009 2 weeks ago ADDED LAST MONTH 4 * A bird which had taken refuge on a thorn branch stares down angrily at us Ifaty, Madagascar (Monotypic species) Ian Fulton 8 October 2005 19 weeks ago 3. More

Subdesert mesites will vocalize at the sound of another group approaching their territory. Both white-breasted and subdesert mesites engage in territorial disputes. Feeding ecology and diet The two Mesitornis species feed amongst the leaf litter, searching for invertebrates, seeds, and small fruits. The bill is positioned to allow them to lift fallen leaves without flicking them over, thereby minimizing disturbance to potential prey. More

Images previous Subdesert mesite imageSubdesert mesite in startled defence posture © Nick Garbutt / naturepl. More

Furthermore, the subdesert mesite is also impacted by predation by rats and dogs (4) (3), and hunters occasionally take adult birds from their nests (3). Conservation - Unfortunately, no protected areas occur within the range of the subdesert mesite and there are no known conservation measures in place (3). More

For the purposes of our bird news services, Subdesert Mesite is classed as Ungraded: species which are unlikely to appear as wild birds in Britain or Ireland hide section Most recent photos of Subdesert Mesite (3) Central spiny forest, Madagascar Central spiny forest, Madagascar06/04/2009 Central spiny forest, Madagascar 06/04/2009 Central spiny forest, Madagascar Central spiny forest, Madagascar06/04/2009 Central spiny forest, Madagascar 06/04/2009 Ifaty, Madagascar Ifaty, Madagascar20/11/2007 Ifaty, Madagascar More

The subdesert mesite is thought to be polygamous, while the two Mesitornis species are monogamous. The nests of all three are simple platforms of sticks, in low bushes or forked branches 2–10 ft (0.6–3 m) above the ground. Clutches of one to three eggs are laid during the rainy season, October through April. The incubation period is unknown, and parental responsibilities vary between species. The chicks are precocial and covered with reddish or blackish brown down. More

Subdesert Mesite uses its long bill to probe in the soil. Other birds such as drongos and flycatchers will follow mesites to catch any insects they flush and miss. Mesites are vocal birds, with calls similar to passerine song, used for territorial defence. The usually single white egg is laid in a nest in a bush. Two of the species (Mesitornis) are monogamous; the other is polygamous. More

Subdesert Mesite, Madagascar, Ifaty 8th October 2005 © Steve Blain www.tropicalbirding. More

The Subdesert Mesite is a medium sized terrestrial bird which is often described as rail-like (a family with which the mesites are sometimes placed). The species has a long and downward-curved bill distinguishing it from the other members of the family. Both sexes are greyish above and show thin white eyebrows. Both have white underparts; the male has black crescent-shaped spots on the side of the neck and upper breast. More