• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has a small range which is severely fragmented and decreasing. Consequently, its small population is suspected to be declining and is likely to suffer a rapid decline over the next three generations.

Population justification
The population is estimated to number a minimum of 8,000 individuals, based on point counts at the two major sites of Menabe and Ankarafantsika. This roughly equates to 5,300 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be declining rapidly, in line with habitat loss and degradation within the species's range.

Mesitornis variegatus is found at five sites in north and west Madagascar - Menabe Forest, Ankarafantsika Strict Reserve, Ankarana Special Reserve, Analamera Special Reserve and Daraina forests - and at one site in the east, Ambatovaky Special Reserve (ZICOMA 1999). Surveys have demonstrated its genuine absence from many intervening areas, including some with apparently suitable habitat. Fieldwork in the early 1990s found a minimum of 2,000 birds in the Menabe area and 6,000 at Ankarafantsika, but productivity and density appeared to be low (Hawkins 1994), and populations at other sites may be relictual. Ankarafantsika, in particular, is threatened by fires, and the forests of the Menabe region are heavily exploited for timber and plantations.

This inconspicuous, rail-like ground-dweller is found at highest density and with highest productivity in deciduous forest near rivers (in the south of its range) and in undisturbed deciduous forest on sand (in the north) (Hawkins 1994), from sea-level to 150 m (Langrand 1990). However, there is one record from rainforest at 350 m (at Ambatovaky), in sympatry with M. unicolor. It forages for invertebrates, seeds and small insects (Langrand 1990) in family groups of 2-4 individuals (Morris and Hawkins 1998). It is territorial year round, with breeding occurring November-April during the wet season (Gamero et al. 2014). Breeding attempts consist of clutches of 1-2 eggs, with up to 3 breeding attempts per breeding season (Gamero et al. 2014).

Forest is under threat from slash-and-burn agriculture (at all sites), uncontrolled fires, logging and exploitation for charcoal/firewood (ZICOMA 1999). The species appears not to recolonise areas of regenerating forest (Hawkins 1994). It is hunted opportunistically, especially in the dry season (Hawkins 1994). Its stronghold in Menabe is currently highly threatened by continuing legal and illegal logging due to local forestry organisations poorly manage concessions such as Kirindy. The Menabe region has suffered from immigration, and the resultant population growth has rapidly expanded slash-and-burn agriculture (J. Ekstrom in litt. 2003). Tenrec hunting with dogs in Menabe (mainly in February) coincides with the time when chicks leave the nest and are most vulnerable to predation (A. Gamero in litt. 2016). Also, because climate change may impact on human populations where this species is found, there may be a knock-on indirect effect on this species (Segan et al. 2015).

Conservation Actions Underway
All six occurrence sites are Important Bird Areas, and site-conservation programmes are ongoing at four of them (ZICOMA 1999): Menabe Forest, Ankarafantsika Strict Reserve, Ankarana Special Reserve and Analamera Special Reserve. Ambatovaky, although a Special Reserve, currently lacks conservation activity. The long-term future of Ankarafantsika and Analamera as reserves is not certain (ZICOMA 1999). Furthermore, the Menabe forest complex is under increasing threats and even areas such as the Kirindy Forest are not safe (J. Ekstrom in litt. 2003). The national government has re-structured a poorly managed forestry organisation in the Morondava area (J. Ekstrom in litt. 2003). One conservation organisation is building capacity for community managed forests in the Menabe region (J. Ekstrom in litt. 2003).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to obtain an up-to-date estimate of the population. Once a baseline population estimate has been acquired, continue to monitor population trends. Monitor habitat loss and degradation at known sites. Conserving dry forests where the species occurs should be considered a major conservation priority for Madagascar (ZICOMA 1999). Curb illegal logging and hunting with dogs in the Menabe region (J. Ekstrom in litt. 2003, A. Gamero in litt. 2016). Develop community managed forests in the Menabe region to control slash-and-burn agriculture and forest fires (J. Ekstrom in litt. 2003). Prevent vehicle access to the interior of forests (J. Ekstrom in litt. 2003).

31 cm. Low-slung, rail-like terrestrial bird with full tail and rather small head. Upperparts rufous-brown, with grey patch on upper mantle and wide, dark-bordered supercilium. Bill rather short, dark greyish and straight. Slight blue eye-ring, whitish face, with black malar stripes merging into variable pale chestnut breast-band. Lower breast covered in scattered black crescents, narrowly barred belly, mottled blackish. Similar spp. Told from terrestrial couas Coua by whitish supercilium, shorter legs, and narrower, longer bill. Brown Mesite M. unicolor lacks white, spotted underparts and striking head-pattern. Hints Walks slowly over the leaf-covered floor of primary forest, flicking over leaves in search of invertebrates.

Text account compilers
Evans, M., Benstead, P., Khwaja, N., Ekstrom, J., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Westrip, J.

Contributors
Ekstrom, J., Gamero, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-breasted Mesite Mesitornis variegatus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-breasted-mesite-mesitornis-variegatus on 23/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/11/2024.