This is a list of Mesitornithiformes species by global population. While numbers are estimates, they have been made by the experts in their fields. For more information on how these estimates were ascertained, see Wikipedia's articles on population biology and population ecology.
The IOC World Bird List (version 15.1) recognizes 3 species of Mesitornithiformes.[1] As of December 2025, IUCN/BirdLife International have assessed the populations of all members of this order.
Species by global population
edit| Common name | Binomial name | Population | Status | Trend | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown mesite | Mesitornis unicolor | 2,500-9,999[2] | VU[2] |  [2] |
Total population is estimated to be 3,750-14,999 individuals.[2] | .jpg) |
| White-breasted mesite | Mesitornis variegatus | 5,300[3] | VU[3] | [3] |
Total population is estimated to be, at minimum, 8,000 individuals.[3] |  |
| Subdesert mesite | Monias benschi | 65,000-110,000[4] | VU[4] | [4] |
Total population is estimated to be 98,000-152,000 individuals.[4] |  |
References
edit- ↑ "Turacos, bustards, cuckoos, mesites, sandgrouse – IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
- 1 2 3 4 BirdLife International (2018). "Mesitornis unicolor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018 e.T22692966A129881558. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22692966A129881558.en. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
- 1 2 3 4 BirdLife International (2018). "Mesitornis variegatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018 e.T22692949A129882359. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22692949A129882359.en. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
- 1 2 3 4 BirdLife International (2021). "Monias benschi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T22692971A193815333. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22692971A193815333.en. Retrieved 2025-12-22.