Brown mesite

The brown mesite 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.

Loading map...

Distribution

Region

Eastern Madagascar

Typical Environment

Found in humid evergreen forests along the eastern escarpment of Madagascar, from lowland to mid-elevation rainforest. It favors dense understory with deep leaf litter, vine tangles, and bamboo thickets where it can forage on the ground. The species occurs in primary forest and more mature secondary growth but declines sharply in heavily degraded habitats. It keeps close to cover, often along ravines, stream edges, and the bases of large trees.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1300 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size28–32 cm

Wing Span40–45 cm

Male Weight0.16 kg

Female Weight0.15 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The brown mesite is one of just three species in the Mesitornithidae, an ancient Malagasy bird family. It is a shy, ground-dwelling species that prefers to run rather than fly, slipping through dense understory. Pairs often give mellow, whistled duets to stay in contact. Habitat loss and invasive predators contribute to its Vulnerable status, making intact rainforest critical for its survival.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive and wary

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats; reluctant flier

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups moving quietly through leaf litter. Pairs maintain territories and may duet to reinforce bonds and spacing. The nest is typically placed low in dense vegetation; both sexes likely share parental duties.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A series of mellow, clear whistled notes, often delivered as coordinated duets between pair members. Calls include soft clucks and sharp alarms when disturbed.

Unlock detailed bird insights with Pro access today.

Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Brown noddy

The brown noddy, common noddy or noddy tern is a seabird in the family Laridae. The largest of the noddies, it can be told from the closely related black noddy by its larger size and plumage, which is dark brown rather than black. The brown noddy is a tropical seabird with a worldwide distribution, ranging from Hawaii to the Tuamotu Archipelago and Australia in the Pacific Ocean, from the Red Sea to the Seychelles and Australia in the Indian Ocean and in the Caribbean to Tristan da Cunha in the Atlantic Ocean. The brown noddy is colonial, usually nesting on elevated situations on cliffs or in short trees or shrubs. It only occasionally nests on the ground. A single egg is laid by the female of a pair each breeding season. In India, the brown noddy is protected in the PM Sayeed Marine Birds Conservation Reserve.

Brown parrotbill

The brown parrotbill is a parrotbill found in the central and eastern Himalayas. It is also known as the brown suthora. This is a 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) long grey-brown bird with a long tail and a characteristic small, yellowish, parrot-like bill. A dark stripe runs above the eyes and along the sides of the crown. The bird moves in small groups and will sometimes join mixed species foraging flocks. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.

Brown pelican

The brown pelican is a bird of the pelican family, Pelecanidae, one of three species found in the Americas and one of two that feed by diving into water. It is found on the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey to the mouth of the Amazon River, and along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands. The nominate subspecies in its breeding plumage has a white head with a yellowish wash on the crown. The nape and neck are dark maroon–brown. The upper sides of the neck have white lines along the base of the gular pouch, and the lower fore neck has a pale yellowish patch. The male and female are similar, but the female is slightly smaller. The nonbreeding adult has a white head and neck. The pink skin around the eyes becomes dull and gray in the nonbreeding season. It lacks any red hue, and the pouch is strongly olivaceous ochre-tinged and the legs are olivaceous gray to blackish-gray.