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Monias benschi

Photo by Ben Rackstraw
Location: Reliara Botanical Gardens, near Ifaty, southwest Madagascar

[edit] Identification

Long downward-curved bill, grey upperparts, thin white eyebrows, white underparts; the male has black crescent-shaped spots on the side of the neck and upper breast. Female has rufous spots and a tawny cheek patch.

[edit] Distribution

Southwest Madagascar.

[edit] Taxonomy

A monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Coastal subdeserts; spiny thicket with open areas from sea-level to 130 meters.

[edit] Behaviour

It forages by picking vertebrates. seeds and fruit off the ground.

The nests is an exposed platform of twigs built in a bush. 1-2 eggs are laid. Incubation and care of the young is shared by both sexes.

[edit] External Links