Subdesert Mesite (Monias benschi): Photos, Range and Facts

Overview

The subdesert mesite (Monias benschi) is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar. It is one of three species in the mesite family Mesitornithidae, and is restricted in distribution to a small low-land region in southwest Madagascar.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to see it

Destination guides featuring this bird

Madagascar Madagascar: Ranomafana and the spiny forest Ground rollers and mesites found nowhere else on Earth.

JJanuary: Good
FFebruary: Poor or no data
MMarch: Poor or no data
AApril: Poor or no data
MMay: Poor or no data
JJune: Poor or no data
JJuly: Poor or no data
AAugust: Good
SSeptember: Best
OOctober: Best
NNovember: Best
DDecember: Best

Range and habitat

Coastal subdesert of southwestern Madagascar.

Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.

Continents

Africa

Countries

Madagascar

Sources and further reading

Wikipedia: Subdesert mesite
eBird: sightings, maps and photos
xeno-canto: sound recordings
Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
IUCN Red List (threat status)
AviList global checklist (taxonomy)

Last updated September 29, 2026.