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Mesitornithidae - Mesites

Classification

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Mesitornithidae

The three species small ground-dwelling birds in this family are only found in Madagascar. They are brown on their uppersides and lighter on their undersides.

Mesites live in forested and scrub areas. They are not very good fliers. They spend most of their time on the ground feeding on insects and seeds.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species

North/Central American Species

None

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species
Brown Mesite - Mesitornis unicolor White-breasted Mesite - Mesitornis variegatus		Subdesert Mesite - Monias benschi
Additional Information Key: Profile Photos Video Audio Brown Mesite - Mesitornis unicolor The brown mesite is found in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Subdesert Mesite - Monias benschi The brown mesite is found in southwestern Madagascar. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School White-breasted Mesite - Mesitornis variegatus The brown mesite is found in north and west Madagascar. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Mesitornithidae - Mesites

Classification

New Hampshire Species

North/Central American Species

Other Species Around the World

Additional Information

Explore the Natural World - Local & National PBS Video