Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-breasted Mesite
Mesitornis variegatus
White-breasted Mesite (Mesitornis variegatus) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
The White-breasted Mesite (Mesitornis variegatus) is a member of the Mesitornithidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 110 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Mesitornithiformes
- Family Mesitornithidae Mesites
- Genus Mesitornis
- Species variegatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 110 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Mesitornithidae
- Order
- Mesitornithiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-breasted Mesite is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense woodland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The White-breasted Mesite is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-breasted Mesite (Mesitornis variegatus) belongs to the Mesitornithidae family of the order Mesitornithiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF patchily nw, ne, ce Madagascar.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 110 g, with a wing length of about 10.9 cm and a tail of around 9.5 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 40,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-breasted Mesite?
The White-breasted Mesite is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 110 g.
Where does the White-breasted Mesite live?
The White-breasted Mesite is found across Africa with a range covering AF patchily nw, ne, ce Madagascar, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the White-breasted Mesite belong to?
The White-breasted Mesite (Mesitornis variegatus) belongs to the Mesitornithidae family, in the order Mesitornithiformes.
What does the White-breasted Mesite eat?
The White-breasted Mesite is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the White-breasted Mesite migrate?
The White-breasted Mesite is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-breasted Mesite endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the White-breasted Mesite make?
1 real field recording of the White-breasted Mesite — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-breasted Mesite's range?
The White-breasted Mesite has a mapped global range of about 40,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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