White-breasted mesite, Kirindy Reserve, Madagascar

A rare and vulnerable species. It has a severely fragmented distribution. Five sites are known, as per 2018 the estimated mature individuals is 5,300 and further declining. No plan is in place to monitor or conserve the species.

(note: this is what IUCN claims, yet in one of my photos I found an individual that was ringed)

Although described as highly secretive, at Kirindy (technically part of the Menabe forest), it seems common to see them, or I'm simply extremely lucky. On all 3 daytime hikes in Kirindy (spread across 2 visits), we've seen them.

They can be a pain to photograph though. They allow you to approach to about 20m and then flee away from you. Not running, just walking in opposite direction. You can't follow because they go into the dense forest whilst you have to use the paths. Close in faster and they will flee faster, always keeping this distance between you and themselves.

The only thing to do is to go around them in a very wide circle and hope they happen to chose a path in the direction you're waiting. Or, you can close them in using multiple people. Finally, find that tiny gap in between branches where they may show their head for 0.5s.