Monias stilt claw

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Monias stilt claw
Monias stilt claw (Monias benschi), male

Monias stilt claw ( Monias benschi ), male

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Mesitornithiformes
Family : Stilt claws (Mesitornithidae)
Genre : Monias
Type : Monias stilt claw
Scientific name of the  genus
Monias
Oustalet & Grandidier , 1903
Scientific name of the  species
Monias benschi
Oustalet & Grandidier, 1903

The Monias stilt claw ( Monias benschi ) is a ground-living bird from the family of stilt claws (Mesitornithidae). The species is in a small area on the southwest coast of Madagascar endemic .

distribution and habitat

Distribution of the Mesitornithidae:
Monias stilt claw : blue;
Short-footed stilt rail : green;
Single-color stilt claw : orange

The very small distribution area is on the southwest coast of Madagascar, ranges from the Mangoky rivers in the north to the Fiheranana in the south, is about 200 km long and extends from the coast to the beginning of the inland range of hills about 70 to 80 km inland. The height distribution ranges from sea level to about 130 meters. The habitat is a semi-desert with spiky trees up to 15 meters high.

Appearance

The Monias stilt claw becomes about 32 cm long. Their plumage is gray-brown on top, the breast and belly of the male are patterned with crescent-shaped, dark spots, while the female there is red-brown in color, sometimes with dark dots. Is a light above the eye via eye stripe (supercilium). The eyes of the males are reddish, those of the females are orange or brown. The relatively long and curved bill is black, with a reddish beak base, legs and feet are reddish. The legs are longer than the stilt claws of the genus Mesitornis . There is no information about seasonal variations or age-related changes in the fletching. Fledglings are more dull in color than adults, with dark spots on their chests, a dark gray beak, and pink feet.

The Monias stilt claw can be easily distinguished from the silk cuckoos ( Coua sp.) Found in the same habitat by its long, curved beak, the light stripes over the eyes and the predominantly reddish (females) or whitish and spotted breast (males).

Way of life

The Monias stilt rail is true to location and territorial and lives in groups that are larger in undisturbed forests than in relatively open forests with numerous xerophytic and prickly Didierea madagascariensis . The area claimed by a group is on average 12 to 15 hectares. The size depends on the number of males within a group, not the total group size. All members of the group take part in the defense of the area. During the breeding season, the birds defend a smaller territory. Although able to fly, the birds only fly to reach a lookout point or nest, or to flee. The Monias stilt rail tolerates a certain impairment of its habitat, provided the forest floor is rich in leaves. Areas in which the vegetation is so dense that it cannot slip through, as well as shadowless zones are avoided.

Breeding behavior

Group with three females and three males

The Monias Stilt Claw breeds all year round, with most breeding taking place in December and January. In contrast to most of the other bird species in the region, it is not dependent on the rainy season and therefore breeds also take place at the height of the dry season in March. The Monias stilt claw can breed as a monogamous pair or in larger groups of up to 8 birds, less often up to 10 birds. Larger groups split up into smaller groups of 2 to 4 birds. In larger groups there are usually about three males for two females. This is due to the higher death rate in females during breeding.

The unprotected, shallow nest is built at a height of 0.6 to two meters in a shrub, low tree or in a tangle of lianas. It can always be reached without the birds having to fly, consists of twigs, leaves, bark and is camouflaged with lichen. The males in a group build up to five nests in the center of their territory. For the brood, however, only one is used that is built about 4 to 6 weeks before the eggs are laid. The clutch consists of two eggs, more rarely one egg, which measure an average of about 37 × 27 mm. The sexes take turns in brooding and herding the young. All adult males and the dominant female in a group take part. Both females and males breed during the day, and the males in particular at night. All chicks hatch at the same time. They are black-brown or chocolate-brown with light spots on the head and on the belly side, where a dark spot can also be seen. It takes about 21 to 27 days for them to fledge. In a few years the birds breed twice.

food

The Monias stilt rail feeds on invertebrates, including termites and insect larvae buried in the ground. It also eats seeds and small fruits. It looks for a large part of its food between and under the fallen leaves, digs more in the ground than other stilt claws.

Danger

The IUCN estimates the existence of the species as endangered (Vulnerable). The entire range of the Monias stilt rail is only 12,400 km², and in this area some regions are unsuitable for the species. In some parts of the distribution area it occurs with a relatively high density of individuals (0.2 to 0.3 specimens / ha), in others it is rare. In 2002 the total population of the species was estimated at 115,000 specimens. The primary thorn bush forest decreased by 15.6% from 1962 to 1999, in the east of the distribution area by about 28%. The current rate is unknown. One problem is goat overgrazing and deforestation to produce charcoal. In the vicinity of villages, the Monias stilt rail is hunted with snares or with dogs. The nests may also be looted by introduced rats. There are no nature reserves within the distribution area.

literature

Web links

Commons : Monias-Stelzenralle ( Monias benschi )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files