Mesitornithidae - Mesites
The Mesitornithidae commonly called Mesites are a family of birds that are part of a clade (Columbimorphae) that include Columbiformes and Pterocliformes. They are smallish, near flightless birds endemic to Madagascar. They are the only family with more than two species in which every species is threatened (all three are listed as vulnerable).
They are forest and scrubland birds that feed on insects and seeds. The Brown Mesite and White-breasted Mesite forage on the ground, gleaning insects from the leaves and under them, as well as low vegetation. The 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. Two or three white eggs are laid in a stick-nest located in a bush or low branch. The Mesitornis species are monogamous; Monias benschi is polygamous and unlike the other two shows significant sexual dichromatism.
There are just three species in this family, which are:
White-breasted Mesite Mesitornis variegata
Brown Mesite Mesitornis unicolor
Subdesert Mesite Monias benschi
Family Links
Mesites Mesitornithidae
The Mesites are a special family of three distinctive species found only in Madagascar. Taxonomically they are considered a member of the Gruiformes -- the crane and coot order -- but they are distinctive relict birds. All three are ground-dwellers, running through their habitat like a cross between a rail and a thrasher.
Mesites Mesitornithidae
The mesites (Mesitornithidae) are a family of birds that are part of a clade (Columbimorphae) that include Columbiformes and Pterocliformes.[1] They are smallish, near flightless birds endemic to Madagascar. They are the only family with more than two species in which every species is threatened (all three are listed as vulnerable).
Species Links
Brown Mesite Mesitornis unicolor
Brown Mesite Mesitornis unicolor
The brown mesite (Mesitornis unicolor) is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar. It is one of three species in the mesite family or the Mesitornithidae, and though classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is the most widespread of the three.
Brown Mesite Mesitornis unicolor
Taxonomy: Mesites unicolor Des Murs, 1845, Madagascar. Formerly placed in genus Mesoenas. Monotypic.
Brown Mesite Mesitornis unicolor
Subdesert Mesite Monias benschi
Subdesert Mesite Monias benschi
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.
Subdesert Mesite Monias benschi
Subdesert Mesite Monias benschi
Taxonomy: Monias Benschi Oustalet and G. Grandidier, 1903, Vorondreo (25 km east of Toliara), Madagascar. Monotypic.
White-breasted Mesite Mesitornis variegata
The white-breasted mesite (Mesitornis variegatus) is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar. One of three species in the mesite family, Mesitornithidae, it is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has a small population and is restricted to five sites in the north and west of the island, and one in the east.
White-breasted Mesite Mesitornis variegata
White-breasted Mesite Mesitornis variegata
White-breasted Mesite Mesitornis variegata
Taxonomy: Mesites variegata I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1838, Madagascar. Formerly placed in genus Mesoenas. Recent anomalous record from rainforest may prove to belong to subspecifically distinct population, but no relevant specimens known to exist. Monotypic.
White-breasted Mesite Mesitornis variegata
Number of Species
Number of bird species: 3