Other Scientific Names
Mesitornis variegata [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Mesitornis variegata [Collar and Andrew (1988)], Mesitornis variegata [Collar et al. (1994)], Mesitornis variegata [BirdLife International (2000)]
Other Names (World)
White-breasted Mesite, Roatelo, White-breasted Roatelo
Family
Mesitornithidae (Mesites)
Size
31 cm
First Described (Guide)
Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1838
Madagascar. Known only to occur in three widely separated small areas in western and north, between 12°44' southern (Analamera) and 20° southern (Menabe forests); however, single anomalous record from eastern (Ambatovaky).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 8,000 (2010) and decreasing.
White-breasted Mesite (Mesitornis variegatus) [XC624010]
by Ken Behrens from Ampijoroa Station, Ankarafonsika NP, Mahajanga Prov., Madagascar (song)
White-breasted Mesite (Mesitornis variegatus) [XC162188]
by Mike Nelson from Ankarafantsika National Park, Mahajanga Province, Madagascar (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
From terrestrial couas Coua by whitish supercilium, shorter legs, and narrower, longer bill. Brown Mesite (Mesitornis unicolor) lacks white, spotted underparts and striking head-pattern.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet