Justification This species is listed as Vulnerable because continuing destruction of its habitat is causing a significant population decline which is projected to be rapid in the immediate future. If habitat is not lost as fast as projected, the species may warrant downlisting to Near Threatened.

Family/Sub-family Mesitornithidae

Species name author Oustalet & Grandidier, 1903

Taxonomic source(s) Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 32 cm. Strange, long-legged, rail-like terrestrial bird. Brownish-grey on back and crown, with long, dark-bordered, whitish supercilium and long, decurved blackish bill. Tail is rather long and full, legs are fairly long and pinkish. Males are whitish below, marked with black crescents, while females are variably mottled rufous-brown and black. Similar spp. From terrestrial couas Coua by long, decurved bill, pale supercilium, and either largely reddish (female) or mottled whitish (male) breast. Voice Loud, communal song. Call when disturbed is nak! nak! Hints Occurs in groups in spiny, subdesert forest.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

98,000 - 152,000

decreasing

12,400 km²

Yes

Range & population Monias benschi is restricted to a narrow coastal strip, originally 30-60 km wide and 200 km long, in south-western Madagascar between the Fiherenana and Mangoky rivers. It is common within suitable habitat, occurring at population densities of 0.2-0.3 individuals per ha⁵. Although such habitat is threatened in the north-central, eastern and southern parts of this species's range, there is a fairly large intact block (c.2,500 km²) north of Manombo⁶. In 2002, the total population was estimated to be 115,000 individuals⁷.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: The species is restricted to dry, deciduous spiny forest, 5-15 m high, on sandy soil, with an abundance of Didierea trees, also tolerating highly degraded forest^2,3,4 and inhabiting very low-stature, sparse coastal scrub⁸. It feeds by picking invertebrates (and some seeds) from under the litter layer by a combination of shallow probing, flicking over dead leaves, and digging in sand. Although adapted for flight, the species in fact only flies to reach elevated roost sites and nests, and evade predators⁸. It breeds all-year round in cooperative groups of 2-9 individuals, which defend territories of 7-21 (mean of 14.9) ha^5,7. In contrast to all other bird species in the same habitat, the species can continue to breed through the dry season and access food resources such as termites and buried invertebrate larvae⁸. The nest is a loosely woven platform of twigs, c.15 cm in diameter and c.5 cm deep, with a very shallow cup lined with fresh lichen. Breeding groups are known to construct up to five nests in a breeding season. It has been observed that one or, more commonly, two eggs are laid in each nest. Some populations are male-biased, perhaps due to higher female mortality during diurnal incubation and dispersal⁸. The generation span (average age of breeding birds) is probably more than five years⁷.

Threats Overall, primary spiny forest cover has declined by 15.6% between 1962 and 1999, although in the eastern part of this species's range, it has declined by c.28%^6,7. Such clearance is mainly for slash-and-burn cultivation of maize and for charcoal production (both are increasing)⁵, and more locally for construction material and commercial timber⁶. Predation by dogs and trappers occurs, and introduced rats Rattus may pose a threat, at least locally³.

Conservation measures underway The spiny forest of south-west Madagascar has been identified as the biogeographic region in greatest need of additional reserves nationally¹. The northern part of this region, to which the species is restricted, is entirely unprotected and is suffering the most rapid degradation⁶. Potential conservation measures have recently been recommended for the area, designed in consultation with local communities⁶.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct regular surveys to monitor population trends. Continue to monitor the clearance of spiny forest. Establish a coordinated network of community-based conservation areas, including a large protected area⁶. Improve agricultural efficiency and control charcoal production.

References Collar and Stuart (1985). 1. Du Puy and Moat (1996). 2. A.F.A. Hawkins in litt. (1995). 3. Langrand (1990). 4. Morris and Hawkins (1998). 5. Seddon (2001). 6. Seddon et al. (2000). 7. Tobias and Seddon (2002). 8. Seddon et al. (2003).

Text account compilers Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Mike Evans (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Malcolm Starkey (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Frank Hawkins (Conservation International), Olivier Langrand (WWF Madagascar), Nathalie Seddon (University of Cambridge), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Monias benschi. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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