Subdesert Mesite
Monias benschi Oustalet & Grandidier, G, 1903
138 gWeight
The subdesert mesite (Monias benschi) is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar.
Busiest months: November · Most records: Madagascar
Where and when it's recorded
Busiest months: November · Most records: Madagascar
Subdesert Mesite has been recorded at 2 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 1 country or region.
Records by month Southern Hemisphere
Where it's recorded most
- Ifaty – spiny forest reservesMadagascar753 records
- Belalanda WetlandsMadagascar1 record
Countries and regions with the most records
eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.
About
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.
Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia
Questions
How big is the Subdesert Mesite?
The Subdesert Mesite weighs around 138 g.
Where does the Subdesert Mesite live?
Its breeding range: Africa: coastal southwestern Madagascar. It is most often recorded in Madagascar.
When is the best time to see the Subdesert Mesite?
At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in November (Southern Hemisphere).
Is the Subdesert Mesite endangered?
The IUCN Red List classifies the Subdesert Mesite as Vulnerable.
What does the Subdesert Mesite eat?
Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.
What family is the Subdesert Mesite in?
It belongs to the family Mesites (Mesitornithidae), order Mesitornithiformes.
At a glance
- Weight
- 138 g
- Habitat
- Woodland
- Diet
- Insects & other invertebrates
- Lifestyle
- Active on the ground
- Migration
- Resident (barely migrates)
- Conservation
- Vulnerable
More measurements
- Wing
- 124 mm
- Tail
- 133 mm
- Bill
- 37 mm
- Tarsus
- 36 mm
Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.
Range
Africa: coastal southwestern Madagascar
Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2
Classification
- Order
- Mesitornithiformes
- Family
- Mesites Mesitornithidae
- Genus
- Monias
More from the family Mesites
White-breasted MesiteMesitornis variegatus
Brown MesiteMesitornis unicolor
Download illustration
Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from reference photos. ↗
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