Brown Mesite

The word mesite is from French mésite (“mesite”), named by the zoologist Isidore Geoffroy in 1838, via from Ancient Greek μεσίτης (mesítēs, “mediator”), for these birds are of medium size. In Malagasy was known as manganahitra, and in Arabic as Manahitri (مانهيتري).

• Singular: mesite

• Plural: mesites

This species is a medium-sized terrestrial bird which is often described as rail-like. The species has a plain face, marked only by a slightly contrasting fleshy eye-ring around a rather large eye and a variable white streak behind the eye. It has a short straight bill. The upperparts of the bird are rufous brown, the underside tawny with no barring or spotting. The brown mesite is a medium-sized ground bird, measuring between 30–32 centimeters long in length.

The brown mesite's closest relatives are pigeons and sandgrouses and were originate during Eocene epoch.

The mesite's flight is weak; it only flies short distances and seldom. The mesite spends the majority of its life on the forest floor and is an excellent walker. The mesite stays away from open water and cannot swim. On the shaded woodland floor, the mesite's rufous brown plumage offers adequate camouflage, making it quite difficult to notice when it is stationary.

This is a ground-dwelling species of undisturbed primary, evergreen, humid forest. It occurs from sea-level to 1,200 m but is most frequently encountered below 800 m. It seems to prefer steep slopes and dark areas with much leaf-litter and little herbaceous growth. The brown mesite is a humid forest species, it forages by walking through the forest floor flicking over leaf-litter in order to find invertebrates, often in family groups of two to three individuals, also gleaning from leaves and stems at ground-level. The nest is built 1-1.5 m from the ground; the clutch-size is one.

The brown mesite is quiet, reserved, and shy. This bird's primary vocalizations were gentle cries and low whistles, which were primarily audible at daybreak. Brown mesites protect small woodland territory by living in pairs. The brown mesite is not hostile, social, or "friendly," and it typically stays away from people completely. Instead of making a dramatic escape, it frequently freezes or slips away silently when encountered.

Threats

• Deforestation (slash-and-burn agriculture)

• Habitat fragmentation

• Hunting (minor but present)

• Invasive and native predators (rats, cats, bushpigs, dogs, fossas)

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (VU)

Conservation Efforts

• Protected forest reserves in eastern Madagascar.

• Habitat preservation initiatives.

• Limited captive conservation due to sensitivity.

• Anti-poaching enforcement.

• Rescue and rehabilitation centers.

• Awareness campaigns against illegal pet trade.

The brown mesite has a patchy distribution in humid evergreen forest along the eastern coast of Madagascar, from Marojejy National Park in the north to Tôlanaro to the south.

During The Recollections of Queen Arianna (TROQA) saga in the 2600s and 2700s, the "Sky People," or Terrans from Earth, brought the brown mesite to two exoplanets that resembled Earth: Berbania from Ursa Major and Reinachos from Cygnus. Despite the death of our planet, conservation efforts are helping this species recover from endangerment or near extinction. The mesite became an invasive species as a result of human interactions for game hunting and rewilding. In two exoplanets that resembled Earth, the brown mesite lived in conditions and climates identical to those of Earth.

• Movement Pattern: Altitudinal Migrant

• Individual Type: Solo

• Population Trend: Stable

• Population: 2,500-9,999

• Locomotion: Aerial

• Habitat: Taiga; Montane Grasslands and Shrublands; Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests; Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Salt Flats; Stone Forest; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands; Tropical Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Badlands; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Mangrove Forest; Cold Bamboo Forests; Tropical Bamboo Forests; Air-breathing Coral Reefs; Graveyard Vale; Mountain; Volcano; Warm Ghost Town; Cold Ghost Town; Ruined Skyscraper.

• Earth: 

  • Extant (Resident): Madagascar

• Sawintir: 

  • Extant & Introduced: Galdiz; Khaldoun; Napurna; Nueva Vista Confederacy; Oz; Kingdom of Nueva Rosas; Tangu; Wei-Ling; Zumaria

All mesite species were tranquilized with gunshots, fed while unconscious, then repeatedly overdosed with opiates.  Alternatively, survivors must steal and tame the mesite's egg. When these eggs hatch, the infants must be fed either seed or live worms, which can be supplied from a variety of sources.

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• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_mesite

• https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22692966/129881558

• https://xeno-canto.org/species/mesitornis-unicolor

• https://ebird.org/species/bromes1

• https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/bromes1/cur/introduction

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/Brown-Mesite-1141017552