The mesites (family Mesitornithidae) is a family of birds belonging to the monotypic order Mesitornithiformes. It is one of the five families endemic to Madagascar, along with the cuckoo-rollers, the ground rollers, the asities and the Malagasy warblers. These odd birds are near flightless and extremely elusive, most often best located by their territorial calls. Currently, all species are classified as vulnerable.
The family comprises 3 species in 2 genera. Genus Monias (1 species) is restricted to the spiny forest of southwest Madagascar and shows sexual dimorphism and a polygamous behavior. Although mesites in genus Mesitornis (2 species) occur in very different habitats — one in thick montane rainforest and other in dry forest —, both are monogamous and sexes look alike.
Circuit Coquereli, Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, 7 Dec 2023
White-breasted mesite
Mesitornis variegatus
Restricted to only five narrow locations of dry forest in west Madagascar, with a small global population. These birds quietly run fast like darts in the understory, camouflaging in the dry forest understory. I saw this species in Ankarafantsika in Madagascar.
