| Brown Mesite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Mesitornithiformes |
| Family: | Mesitornithidae |
| Genus: | Mesitornis |
| Species: | Mesitornis unicolor |
The Brown Mesite (Mesitornis unicolor) is a ground-dwelling bird that is the most widespread of the mesites.
Description[]
It is a medium-sized, almost unicolored, rail-like bird with a length of about 30 cm (11.8 in) and a mass of 148 g (5.2 oz). It has a mostly brown plumage offering camouflage on the ground. It is with a white streak from near below the fleshy eye ring to the sides of the neck. The underparts and undersides are blended with rufous and tawny colors. The bill is short and straight. The Brown Mesite does not have any barred or spotted patterns on its plumage and is the only mesite to not have those attributes.
Voice[]
Brown Mesites are very vocal during the breeding season, emitting unusually loud whistles in a duet.
Behavior[]
The Brown Mesite feeds on the invertebrates found on the forest floor by flicking over the leaves and gleaning on them. It is usually seen in pairs. Its breeding season starts in the rainy season from November to late December or early January. It builds a flat nest that is a loose platform made from interwoven twigs lined with vegetation. The 1 to 3 eggs, which are white with rust-colored spots, in a clutch are incubated by the female. The chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. The Brown Mesite has never been observed flying, either due to its secretive habits or the probability that it is a flightless bird.
Distribution and Habitat[]
With a scattered distribution, it lives in the moist evergreen forests of eastern Madagascar from Marojejy National Park down to the city of Tôlanaro. Preferred forest habitat is undisturbed deciduous forest from sea-level up to 1,200 meters (3,900 ft).
Status[]
Brown Mesites' threats include human disturbance, of which its pressure is greatest in its habitat of forests in lower elevations, along with predation by dogs and rats and hunting. The International Union for Conservation of Nature evaluated the Brown Mesite's conservation status as "vulnerable".