Brown Mesite
Mesitornis unicolor
Odd, plain brown, ground-dwelling bird that is rarely seen by those not looking for it. Usually seen in pairs or family groups, walking on the forest floor. Found in eastern rainforest at low and middle elevations, usually on steep slopes. Call is a loud and explosive series of descending or two-noted whistles, usually given in duet by a pair. Can be separated from other mesites by range. Similar to Madagascar Wood-Rail, but slimmer, longer-tailed, and with paler underparts.
Identification
This species 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 plain face, marked only by a slightly contrasting fleshy eye-ring around a rather large eye and a variable white streak behind the eye. It has a short straight bill. The upperparts of the bird are rufous brown, the underside tawny with no barring or spotting.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mesitornis unicolor
- Authority
- (des Murs, 1845)
- Order
- Mesitornithiformes
- Family
- Mesitornithidae
- Genus
- Mesitornis
Range and habitat
The brown mesite has a patchy distribution in humid evergreen forest along the eastern coast of Madagascar, from Marojejy National Park in the north to Tôlanaro to the south.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The brown mesite is a humid forest species, it forages by walking through the forest floor flicking over leaf-litter in order to find invertebrates. Its rufous brown plumage provides reasonable camouflage on the shady forest floor. The preferred habitat is undisturbed deciduous forest from sea-level up to 1,200 meters (3,900 ft). One to three eggs are laid in a nest which consists of a loose platform made from twigs and lined with plant fibre and leaves. The eggs are dull white with brown markings on one end. Soon after hatching the chicks leave the nest. It is secretive and rarely seen.The brown mesite has never been observed flying; this may be simply due to its secretive habits, or it may be because it is in fact flightless.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tuamotu Kingfisher
Todiramphus gambieri
A medium-sized, largely pale kingfisher with a pale whitish buffy neck and head, a variable green crown spot, and white underparts. Has a greenish back and more bluish-purple wings. A thin greenish line extends back from the dark eye. Found in forest, coconut plantations, and gardens. Unique within its range.
Philippine Pitta
Erythropitta erythrogaster
A plump, short-tailed, long-legged terrestrial bird with a red belly, a black throat, a blue chest band, and a ruddy-colored head. Juvenile is dull brown with blue in rump and tail and a horn-colored bill with a pale tip and base. Singles or pairs inhabit forest, degraded patches, and bamboo thickets in lowlands and hills. Differs from Whiskered Pitta in smaller size, black throat, lack of a pale whisker, and more extensive ruddy head coloration. Song is a two-part quivering whistle, the first part rising, the second mournfully descending: “waaaaaaopop-aaaaawwwwwow.” Also gives a piercing “whit” alarm call.
African Skimmer
Rynchops flavirostris
Distinctive tern-like bird with long wings, a short tail, and a bizarre bill in which the upper mandible is shorter than the lower mandible. In slow flight, shows a very white underwing and a white stripe along the back of the upperwing. Feeds by skimming its knife-like lower mandible through the water and snapping up small fish that it makes contact with. Found very locally on sandbars in lakes and rivers. Call is a husky “chep.”
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