Brown Mesite

Overview

The brown mesite (Mesitornis unicolor) is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar and a member of the mesite family, the Mesitornithidae. Despite being classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, it is the most widespread of the three species in its family.

Identification

• Medium-sized terrestrial bird often described as rail-like.
• Rufous brown upperparts and tawny underparts with no barring or spotting.
• Plain face featuring a slightly contrasting fleshy eye-ring and a variable white streak behind a large eye.
• Short, straight bill.

Habitat

The brown mesite inhabits humid evergreen and undisturbed deciduous forests from sea level up to 1,200 meters. Its range is patchily distributed along the eastern coast of Madagascar, stretching from Marojejy National Park in the north to Tôlanaro in the south.

Diet

This species forages by walking through the forest floor and flicking over leaf-litter to find invertebrates. Its rufous plumage provides effective camouflage in the shady forest environment.

Did you know?

The brown mesite has never been observed flying; this may be due to its secretive habits or it may indicate that the species is actually flightless.