Madagascar Forest Rail
Mentocrex kioloides
Chunky rail with rich rufous coloration and a gray patch on the face. Found on the floor of eastern and northern rainforest, though it nests in trees. Usually in pairs or small groups. Very shy, and looks almost like a mammal when scurrying away from disturbance. Most common call is a long, ringing series of “kheow” notes. Also gives deep grunts and an explosive “tshak” call. Similar to Brown Mesite, but chunkier and shorter-tailed, with darker underparts. Told from Tsingy Wood-Rail by range. Smaller than White-throated Rail, with a shorter bill and a much smaller white throat patch.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mentocrex kioloides
- Authority
- (Pucheran, 1845)
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Sarothruridae
- Genus
- Mentocrex
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-throated Flycatcher
Conopias parvus
Medium-sized, active flycatcher of forest canopy; often observed on the periphery of mixed-species flocks. When seen well, note entirely yellow underparts, including throat. Found in a variety of lowland forest types, including tall rainforest and low-stature forests on sandy soils. Forages actively, almost always in small groups; often sits on top of large leaf clusters on outer branches. Similar to several other kiskadee-like flycatchers, but behavior and voice are quite different. Quite vocal; often-heard call is a distinctive hollow rattle with a purring quality.
Southern Variable Pitohui
Pitohui uropygialis
A fairly large bird of mainly secondary lowland and foothill forest edge. As the name suggests, a variably plumaged bird. Males mostly have a black hood, wing and tail with belly and back, chestnut or orange-brown. Males and females of some races have a brown head. Very similar to Hooded Pitohui, but Southern Variable is usually found at lower elevation and has black rather than brown above the base of the tail. Song, a varied, jumbled warble.
Slaty-legged Crake
Rallina eurizonoides
Small, chickenlike dweller of dense forests and tangled edges. Dark brown above, with orange head and breast and black-and-white-striped sides. Juvenile similar but with brown head and breast, narrower white stripes below. Dark lead-gray legs distinguish this species from Red-legged, Band-bellied, and Ruddy-breasted crakes, which also show different underpart patterns. Sings at night from favored tree perches, a series of doubled hoots that recall Mountain Scops-Owl.
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