Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Brown Mesite
Mesitornis unicolor
Brown Mesite (Mesitornis unicolor) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
The Brown Mesite (Mesitornis unicolor) is a member of the Mesitornithidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 148 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Mesitornithiformes
- Family Mesitornithidae Mesites
- Genus Mesitornis
- Species unicolor
Quick facts
- Weight
- 148 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Mesitornithidae
- Order
- Mesitornithiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Brown Mesite is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Brown Mesite is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Brown Mesite (Mesitornis unicolor) is a species of bird in the Mesitornithidae family, part of the order Mesitornithiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e Madagascar.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 148 g, with a wing length of about 11.5 cm and a tail of around 10.4 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 37,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Brown Mesite?
The Brown Mesite is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 148 g.
Where does the Brown Mesite live?
The Brown Mesite is found across Africa with a range covering AF e Madagascar, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Brown Mesite belong to?
The Brown Mesite (Mesitornis unicolor) belongs to the Mesitornithidae family, in the order Mesitornithiformes.
What does the Brown Mesite eat?
The Brown Mesite is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Brown Mesite migrate?
The Brown Mesite is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Brown Mesite endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Brown Mesite make?
1 real field recording of the Brown Mesite — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Brown Mesite's range?
The Brown Mesite has a mapped global range of about 37,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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